Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis in a Roman-period horse from Gerulata (Bratislava-Rusovce, Slovakia): Diagnostic Considerations.

Overview

• This study analyzes pathological changes found in the skeleton of a Roman-period horse from Gerulata, Slovakia, focusing on diagnosing diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) through imaging and radiocarbon dating.

Background and Objective

• The research centers on a partially preserved, articulated skeleton of an adult horse discovered in the southern urban district of Bratislava-Rusovce.
• The main goal was to evaluate any bone pathologies to understand health conditions affecting horses during the Roman period in this region.
• Specifically, the study aimed to identify and diagnose any vertebral lesions and compare them to known conditions such as DISH and spondylosis.

Materials and Methods

• Specimen: The horse skeleton was partially intact, enabling macroscopic examination of the bones.
• Macroscopic analysis: Used to determine species, biological profile (age, sex), and observe pathological changes.
• Computed Tomography (CT): Applied to evaluate internal bone structure and detail thoracolumbar lesions more precisely.
• Radiocarbon dating: Performed to establish the absolute date of the skeleton, dating it to 21-133 CE with a 90.1% probability.

Results

• Species Identification: Confirmed to be a male domestic horse.
• Age at Death: Estimated at 9-10 years old.
• Pathological Findings:
  • Flowing ossification along the ventral longitudinal ligament was observed, indicating bone overgrowth along the vertebral column.
  • Evidence of active bone remodeling, suggesting ongoing disease processes at the time of death.
  • Complete vertebral bridging (bony fusion) between thoracic vertebrae T11 and T12.
  • Near-complete bridging in the adjacent segments T10-T11 and T12-T14.

Interpretation and Diagnostic Considerations

• The spinal changes between T10 and T14 vertebrae align strongly with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), a condition characterized by ligamentous ossification and vertebral fusion.
• Lesions in non-adjacent vertebral segments such as T16-T17 and lumbar L3-L4 remained uncertain in their diagnosis, suggesting possible different pathological processes.
• This study highlights the challenges in differentiating DISH from spondylosis deformans, another common spinal pathology characterized by bony growths, as overlapping features can complicate diagnosis.
• Existing diagnostic criteria derived from both human and veterinary medicine showed structural limitations when applied to equine remains from archaeological contexts.

Limitations and Future Directions

• The skeleton was incomplete due to post-depositional disturbances causing loss of vertebral arches, especially in the affected T10-T14 segments.
• Missing anatomical parts limited a full pathological and comparative analysis of the spine.
• Future research should focus on standardizing diagnostic criteria relevant to equine spinal diseases, potentially developing parameters that correspond more directly with human medical standards, to improve accuracy in diagnosing fossil and archaeological specimens.
• Establishing these standards would enhance understanding of the health and disease burden in ancient horses and facilitate more consistent paleopathological evaluations.

Significance

• This study contributes one of the few documented cases of DISH identified in an ancient horse skeleton, providing valuable insight into equine diseases during the Roman period.
• It underscores the importance of integrating modern imaging techniques like CT with traditional archaeological analysis to detect subtle pathological changes.
• The research encourages interdisciplinary collaboration between veterinary, archaeological, and medical fields to better interpret skeletal diseases in non-human species.