Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 82. (Budapest 1990)

Pap, I. ; Józsa, L.: Occurence of otitis media, mastoiditis and alterations of auditory ossicles in some early Medieval series (Hungary)

In historical times environmental factors probably had a much more definite effect on the development of these diseases than they have nowadays (SCHULTZ 1979, GREGG & STEELE 1982). We are unaware of any analysis of the middle ear region of Conquest and Árpád period material from Hungary. MATERIAL AND METHOD The material originates from Medieval Hungary. In total 25 individuals (6 subadults and 19 adults: 12 males and 7 females) were examined. Of these 22 individuals from Vörs-Papkert B (9-llth c.) burials, 3 individuals from cemeteries of Fészerlak (8th c), Karos-Eperjesszög (10th c.) and Nagykőrös (ll-13th c). 74 ossicles of 47 temporal bones were examined macroscopically

, by Bioplast stereomicroscope (magnification 6.3-160x) and by X-ray (Medicor GT-2 equipment) (Tabie 1). Table 1 Distribution by age of the material Age group Male Female Undet. Malleus Incus Stapes Inf ans I

. Infans II. Juvenilis Aduitus Maturus 3 1 2 B 3 4 44 4 2 16 9 7 12 10 10 Total 12 7 6 32 23 19 Total 25 74 RESULTS No pathological alteration could be found either by X-ray or by microscopic analysis on 12 of the 25 skulls (50 temporal bones) (Plate 1.1). More than half of all the cases presenteu marks indicating inflammation of the middle ear. There were 3 unilateral cases and 10 bilateral ones of otitis media and/or mastoiditis. We observed irregular surface and focal erosion of the wall of tympanic cavity. Footplate fixation of the stapes to the oval window was perceived in one tympanic cavity. The processus mastoideus showed sclerotization and abnormal pneumatic structures in 9 cases (Plate 1.2). In another 4 cases complete ossification of both mastoid process, the total lack of pneumatization could be found (Plate 1.3). In two of these cases X-ray indicated traces of chronic maxillary sinusitis, t.oo. One child of the four infant cases had unilateral while another bilateral otitis. Otitis media and alterations of processus mastoideus could be detected with 3 of the 11 adults and with 7 of the 8 matures. Indications of disturbance of the middle ear were present with 6 of the 12 males and with 4 of the 7 females (Table 2). From 74 ossicles there were 32 hammers, 23 anvils and 19 stirrups (Table 3). Deformities of the neck and head of 3 stirrups could be seen (Plate III.

8). The ossification of oval window and stapes appeared in one case. 7 anvils had severe arthrosis in their incus-stapes joints (Plate III.

9). These 7 and another 5 anvils had irregular surfaces on their corpora. 2 anvils had arthrosis in the malleus-incus joint (Plate III.

10). One third of the hammers Plate I. 1= Normal, well pneumatized mastoideum. - 2= Sclerotical, badly pneumatized processus mastoideus. - 5= Completely sclerotized, eburnificated mastoideum