A possible case of renal osteodystrophy in a skeleton from medieval Wharram Percy, England

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Bibliometric analysis of osteoarchaeology publications covering the period 2001-2007 in leading journals was carried out. The aims were two-fold: firstly, to characterise research in this field in the UK and make comparisons with selected other countries, and secondly, to shed light on the use of skeletal collections. It was found that, since a previous survey of this type,covering the period 1991-1995, isotopic and DNA studies have increased. In the UK, work on biodistance studies is minor compared with other countries, and the proportion of palaeopathology work is high. In palaeopathology, substantial effort continues to be devoted to case studies, particularly in the UK where the frequency of problem-orientated work directed at understanding earlier populations has not increased since the early 1990s. Although it is argued that the case study still has a place in osteoarchaeology, the balance of work needs to shift further in favour of population studies, particularly in the UK. Skeletal collections are vital for primary osteoarchaeological work, and there was little evidence for any great use of skeletal databases such as the Standard Osteological Database. Skeletal collections from the UK were the most used for the research papers analysed, demonstrating the importance of UK-held collections for research that leads to high profile publication in the international scientific literature. These observations are pertinent since legal, ethical and practical issues in the treatment of human remains, particularly those connected with retention of skeletal collections, are now coming under closer scrutiny in the UK.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human osteoarchaeology in the UK 2001–2007: a bibliometric perspective

Mays

2008

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“…Less commonly, the entire skeleton was imaged to characterize a suspected disease process or to provide as complete an assessment as possible. Such complete evaluations of individual skeletons have shown, for example, diffuse skeletal lesions consistent with syphilis (Mansilla & Pijoan, 1995); lytic lesions (Lewis, 1998); erosions suggestive of juvenile arthritis (Rothschild et al, 1997); evidence for osteogenesis imperfecta (Cope & Dupras, 2011); skeletal stigmata of child abuse (Blondiaux et al, 2002; Wheeler et al, 2013); diffuse cortical porosity and subperiosteal bone deposition felt to represent renal osteodystrophy (Mays & Turner‐Walker, 2008); lytic lesions suggestive of acute lymphocytic leukemia (Isidro et al, 2019); and metabolic deficiency (Wheeler et al, 2013). Such studies reveal the importance of imaging the entire skeleton, as minor lesions may not be visible macroscopically on bone surfaces (Western & Bekvalac, 2015).…”

Section: Literature Review: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pediatric paleoradiology: Applications and best practice protocols for image acquisition and reporting

Schaik

Tsai

Liston

et al. 2022

This paper aggregates and summarizes studies that use paleoradiology techniques in the analysis of pediatric remains. Building on these findings, we offer evidence-based, best-practice protocols for the use of radiographic techniques in the assessment of pediatric remains from archaeological contexts. We also provide a recommended reporting worksheet for recording findings in a standardized way. After reviewing studies of pediatric remains that used radiographic techniques, with a focus on three major bioarchaeological journals, PubMed, and the Yearbook of Mummy Studies, we identified areas for improvement in the acquisition and reporting of paleoradio-

“…For example by aiding future workers who may encounter similar conditions by illustrating lesions characteristic of a particular disease, or issues of differential diagnosis, in more detail than available in the existing literature (e.g. Roberts et al ., 2006; Mays & Turner‐Walker, 2008). In this way, although it may (and probably should) decline in numbers, the case study will continue to advance the discipline.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of case reports relative to other types of publication in palaeopathology

Mays

2012

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Despite repeated calls for palaeopathology to move away from descriptive case reports towards quantitative, problem-orientated work, case reports still form a high proportion of palaeopathology journal publications. This work assesses, using citation analysis, the impact of the case report relative to that of other types of study in palaeopathology. Results suggest that case studies are cited less often than other types of publication, but that this deficit is less marked than in the clinical sciences where the case report has been effectively marginalised. It is suggested that although a reduction in the proportion of publications in palaeopathology made up of case reports may be desirable, and would be an indication of maturation of the discipline, welldirected case reports will continue to play a role, albeit a diminishing one, in advancing the field.