Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.54062/jb.5.2.1
When Common Becomes Uncommon: Baastrup’s disease, Sacralization of L5, and Swayback Syndrome in an Early Medieval Skeleton from Northeastern Italy
P. Saccheri
orcid.org/0000-0002-8034-9143
; Department of Medicine, Section of Anatomy and History of Medicine, University of Udine, P. le Kolbe 3, 33100 Udine, Italy
L. Travan
; Department of Medicine, Section of Anatomy and History of Medicine, University of Udine, P. le Kolbe 3, 33100 Udine, Italy
V. Martinoia
orcid.org/0000-0001-6197-2450
; Department of Medicine, Section of Anatomy and History of Medicine, University of Udine, P. le Kolbe 3, 33100 Udine, Italy
*
* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
Baastrup’s disease, or kissing spine, is a degenerative spinal condition marked by abnormal contact between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae. Although frequently diagnosed in older clinical populations, where it is often found in association with other spinal diseases, it remains underreported in the palaeopathological record.
This study presents a case of co-occurring Baastrup’s disease, L5 sacralization and swayback syndrome, in an adult male from a 6th–7th century CE burial at San Pietro al Natisone, northeastern Italy. The observed changes reflect the combined effects of age-related degeneration and biomechanical stress associated with the presence of a lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV).
Our findings support the hypothesis that congenital anomalies such as LSTVs can predispose individuals to abnormal spinal mechanics and secondary degenerative changes. This case also emphasizes the diagnostic value of examining posterior vertebral elements in archaeological samples and highlights the importance of interpreting Baastrup’s disease within the broader context of spinal degeneration.
Ključne riječi
kissing vertebrae; lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV); spinal degeneration; Early Medieval Italy
Hrčak ID:
345723
URI
Datum izdavanja:
6.2.2026.
Posjeta: 306 *