State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China.
School of the Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China.
Sci Rep. 2018 Mar 22;8(1):5045. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-23451-x.
We report an osseous abnormality on a specimen of the sauropod dinosaur Lufengosaurus huenei from the Fengjiahe Formation in Yuxi Basin, China. A gross pathological defect occurs on the right third rib, which was subjected to micro-computed tomographic imaging as an aid in diagnosis. The analysis of pathological characteristics and the shape of the abnormality is incompatible with impact or healed trauma, such as a common rib fracture, and instead suggests focal penetration of the rib, possibly due to a failed predator attack. The identification of characteristics based on gross morphology and internal micro-morphology presented by the specimen, suggests an abscess with osteomyelitis as the most parsimonious explanation. Osteomyelitis is a severe infection originating in the bone marrow, usually resulting from the introduction of pyogenic (pus-producing) bacteria into the bone. Micro-tomographic imaging of the lesion suggests a degree of healing and bone remodelling following post-traumatic wound infection with evidence of sclerotic bone formation at the site of pathological focus, indicating that L. huenei survived the initial trauma. However, as osteomyelitis can express through widespread systemic effects, including a lowering of immune response and overall condition, this disease may have been a contributing factor to the eventual death of the individual.
我们报告了来自中国玉溪盆地丰家河组的蜥脚类恐龙禄丰龙 Lufengosaurus huenei 标本上的一处骨骼异常。右第三肋骨上出现了明显的病理缺陷，我们采用微计算机断层扫描成像来辅助诊断。对病理特征和异常形状的分析与冲击或愈合性创伤（如常见的肋骨骨折）不一致，反而提示肋骨局部穿透，可能是捕食者攻击失败所致。标本的大体形态和内部微观形态所呈现的特征表明，脓肿伴骨髓炎是最合理的解释。骨髓炎是一种严重的感染，起源于骨髓，通常是由化脓性（产生脓液的）细菌进入骨骼引起的。病变部位微断层扫描成像显示，创伤后感染导致的愈合和骨重塑程度，有证据表明在病理焦点部位形成了硬化骨，表明 L. huenei 幸存下来了最初的创伤。然而，由于骨髓炎可能通过广泛的全身影响表现出来，包括免疫反应和整体状况下降，这种疾病可能是导致个体最终死亡的一个因素。
