Diagnostic Paleoradiologyfor Paleopathologists

Paleopathology is the study of ancient disease processes in skeletal remains using a spectrum of methods consisting of gross observation and radiological, paleohistopathological, biochemical, isotope, and DNA studies. Each of these tests carries both advantages and limitations, and almost all require the irreversible destruction of the specimen. In contrast, x-ray study is an appealing option because it can be performed without any significant damage to the specimen. According to Ragsdale, “Radiographs can be thought of as gross photographs of whole lesions and contribute much toward the orthopedic pathologist’s goal of understanding the origin, structure, and mechanism of skeletal diseases”, and “Maceration of residual gross material produces bone specimens that match radiographs precisely and are relevant to other fields, for example paleopathology…” (Chhem 2006; Ragsdale 1993). This underlines the important role of specimen radiological studies in both clinical and paleopathological investigations. Whether the radiation causes any alteration of the genetic materials of the specimen has yet to be documented scientifically.