title: Fronto-ethmoidal encephalocele in a historical skull with artificial deformation and no signs of chronic elevated intracranial pressure.
abstract: The intentional deformation of human skulls in the living being was one of the most curious rituals performed in historical and ancient times. It is thought that these practices cause chronic elevated intracranial pressure and subsequent symptoms of cognitive impairment. In this report, we examine such an artificially deformed skull dating from the sixteenth century that in addition shows a fronto-ethmoidal encephalocele. However, although the mild encephalocele was already manifest at birth and deformation practices were performed over years, the encephalocele did not progress into a more severe status. We conclude that the intentional deformation of skulls does not lead to chronic elevated intracranial pressure and mental retardation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Trauma Center Berlin, Warener Strasse 9, 12683 Berlin, Germany. palaeoweber@gmx.de
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nauck
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Creutz
authors.forename: Ferras
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Al-Zain
authors.forename: Carsten M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Pusch
mesh_terms: D001106:Archaeology; D001118:Argentina; D046289:Body Modification, Non-Therapeutic / Q000266:history; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history / Q000503:physiopathology; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history / Q000473:pathology; D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history / Q000473:pathology; D004677:Encephalocele / Q000150:complications / Q000196:embryology* / Q000266:history; D005004:Ethmoid Bone / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D049669:History, 16th Century; D006801:Humans; D007199:Indians, South American; D019586:Intracranial Hypertension / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012886:Skull / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000293:injuries; D012919:Social Behavior