Middle ear pathology in ancient and modern populations: incudal osteoma.
CONCLUSIONS
Osteomas of the incus were found in surprisingly high numbers in ancient and modern populations. The coexistence of osteoma formation and unique vascularization on the medial surface of the incus alludes to a relationship between the two findings.


OBJECTIVE
Osteomas involving the middle ear ossicles are rare. The aim of this study was to compare the incudal pathology of ancient and recent periods using the recent literature.


METHODS
Pathologies encountered in 1170 human incudes belonging to different populations from ancient and recent periods were studied. Most of the ossicles were found in the middle ear of dry skulls or during dissection. The observations were done with a binocular microscope and a Nikon Profile Projector.


RESULTS
A total of 47 incudes (4.01%) presented with a variety of pathologies, osteomas being found in 19 cases (1.62%). The osteomas were noted only on the medial surface of the incus. Other findings, including prominent erosions, multiple nutrient foramina and pitting, were also found on the medial side of the incus. The incidence of osteoma was found to be more common in ancient populations (1.88%) and most prevalent among Bedouins (4.55%).
Arensburg
Baruch
B
Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Belkin
Victor
V
Wolf
Michael
M
D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000266:history* / Q000473:pathology; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D007188:Incus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D007194:India; D007557:Israel; D010016:Osteoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000266:history* / Q000473:pathology; D010164:Paleopathology; D012888:Skull Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000266:history* / Q000473:pathology; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology