The third dimension in Paleopathology: how can three ‐dimensional imaging by computed tomography (3D CT) bring an added‐value to retrospective diagnosis?

AbstractThree ‐dimensional imaging is now extensively used for studying ancient human and animal bones. This method has been consensually adopted by paleoanthropologists, but its interest in paleopathology has been challenged. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the contribution of 3D reconstructions to retr ospective diagnosis in paleopathology. We selected 6 paleopathological cases among our research corpus representing 3 nosographic categories (trauma, infection and neoplasia) from various periods ranging from the Middle Paleolithic to the beginning of the Modern Era. For each case, we compared the d iagnostic value of plain X‐ray, CT slices and 3D reconstructions. The latter were performed using TIVMI program, a free software for research use developed by one of us. Reconstructions are obtained by surface extraction that follows a segmentation process. We showed that this 3D method allowed re constructing/quantifying pathological processes on ancient bones, usefully supplementing conventional radiological analyses and clearly bringing an added‐value to retrospective diagnosis in paleopathology.

Source: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology - May 15, 2020 Category: Science Authors: H élène Coqueugniot, Bruno Dutailly, Olivier Dutour Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research