RESUMO
BACKGROUND: This study evaluates otitis media in prehistoric populations in northern Chile. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: Determining prevalence of otitis media and diagnostic usefulness of temporal-bone X-rays in skulls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 444 skulls belonging to three groups: prehistoric-coastal (400-1000 AD), prehistoric-highland (400-1000 AD) and Pisagua-Regional Developments (1000-1450 AD). Skulls were evaluated visually and with Schuller's view X-rays. Five skulls diagnosed as having had otitis media, five diagnosed as normal, and one with temporal bone fistula also had a computed tomography (CT). RESULTS: Changes suggestive of otitis media were present in Prehistoric-coastal 53.57%; Pisagua-Regional Developments 70.73%; prehistoric-highlands 47.90%. Diagnostic effectiveness of Schuller's view X-rays for assesing middle ear disease was confirmed by CT studies. The case with temporal bone fistula had changes suggestive of mastoiditis and possible post auricular abscess. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of otitis media in prehistoric populations in Chile. The higher prevalence in one group was presumably due to racial factors. Temporal-bone X-rays are effective for massive evaluation of ear disease in skulls. A case of mastoiditis with temporal bone fistula and possible post-auricular abscess is documented. SIGNIFICANCE: Documenting racial factors in otitis media. Validating X-rays for massive evaluation of otitis media in skulls.
Assuntos
Mastoidite/diagnóstico por imagem , Otite Média/diagnóstico por imagem , Osso Temporal/diagnóstico por imagem , Chile/epidemiologia , Humanos , Mastoidite/etnologia , Otite Média/etnologia , Paleopatologia , Prevalência , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios XRESUMO
The comparative incidence of Otitis Media (OM) has long been difficult to ascertain as almost all previous epidemiological studies were performed in comparatively homogenous populations. In an attempt to question the racial variation of OM, a study was done in Trinidad, with a population of 1.2 million people. About 40 percent of the population is of African ancestry, 40 percent of East-Indian ancestry and 20 percent includes persons of mixed ethnicity, Caucasian, Chinese and middle-Eastern descent. All patients who presented with acute otitis media (AOM), middle ear effusion (MEE), or chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) either of the tubo-tympanic (TT) or attico-antral (AA) types, during the period November 1998 to May 1999, were included in the study. The three national otolaryngology Departments participated in the study suggesting that patients were representative of the whole population. A questionnaire was devised with documented ethnic and other demographic factors. This was completed once an experienced physician diagnosed the patient with one of the above conditions. Two hundred and fifty-two patients enrolled in the study. There were 128 males and 124 females and the age range was 4 months to 83 years. Sixty patients presented with AOM, 88 with MEE and 104 with CSOM. The most interesting result was the ethnic distribution of the patients. One hundred and thirty-eight were of East-Indian descent and 71 were of African origin, a ratio of nearly 2:1. In conclusion, in a national population containing nearly equal numbers of two major ethnic groups, the East Indians presented twice as commonly as the Africans with otitis media. Various proposed reasons for this will be discussed. (AU)