Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 81. (Budapest 1989)
Ferencz, M. ; Józsa, L.: Fistulography: a new method in palaeopathological examinations
ANNALES HISTORICO-NATURALES MUSEI NATIONALIS HUNGARICI Tomus 81. Budapest, 1990 p. 245-250. Fistulography: a new method in palaeopathological examinations by M. FERENCZ & L. JÓZSA, Budapest M. FERENCZ & L. JÓZSA: Fistulography: a new method in palaeopathological examinations. - Annls hist-nat. Mus. natn. hung. 1989,81:245-250. Abstract - The authors applied a new method in palaeopathological examinations. They analysed a fractured sporadic male tibia from the 11—12th century cemetery at Szentkirály. Fistulography affords new possibilities in the diagnosis and research of diseases on fossil bones. With 2 photoplates. INTRODUCTION The very first paper on palaeopathology was published just three years after the discovery of X-ray. It gave an account of the utilization of X-ray in the analysis of an Egyptian mummy (PETRIE 1989 in BRAUNSTEIN et al. 1988). PALES (1930) already considered X-ray examinations indispensable in palaeopathology. Since then radiology has taken up its position in the analysis and diagnostics of fossil skeletal material, of skull traumae, of trepanations (REGÓLY-MÉREI 1962), of osteomae and of tuberculated bone metastasis (STROUHAL & VYHNANEK 1982), of degenerative spine alterations (KRAMAR 1982), of syphilis (WILLIAMS 1932), of osteomyelitis (LAX et al. 1982) and of a large number of other clinical pictures and conditions. X-ray analysis has an especially significant role to play when determining the sex and diseases or even the very breed of the wrapped up mummies (GRAY 1967). The pathologic observation of mummies and bog corpses was made much simpler and easier by radiology because it has no destructive effects and the wrapping can be left intact (BRAUNSTEIN et al. 1988). More recently the modern image producing systems, computer tomography, magnetic core resonance, etc. also became established elements of palaeopathological diagnostics (MARX & D'ARRIA 1988). These most up-to-date methods and equipment are available only in a small number of institutions. Therefore we deemed it necessary to utilize the special technical possibilities of traditional radiology (contrast material examinations, magnifed pictures tomography, X-ray film densiometry, etc.), too (PAP & JÓZSA 1988). FISTULOGRAPHY Compounds having different radiation absorbability to that of the body are called contrast materials. Those with greater absorbability are positive contrast materials while those with lesser absorbability are negative ones. In every day radiological practice organic iodine combinations in water or oil solution or the water suspension of barium sulphate serve as positive contrast materials. The former ones are utilized in the examination of urinary system, of biliary canals, of blood-vessels, of brain and myelon, of the skull and of the spinal canal. Barium sulphate is used in the X-ray diagnostics of the stomach-enteron system. Contrast materials are relatively seldom applied in bone X-ray examinations. Fistulography, the filling up of the fistula is carried out to determine bone fistula and the location and spread of the bone lession keeping up the fistula. In this process
