Page 55 - DILMUN 14

Fig. 4

primarily affects men and typically involves the development of a fused spine.
Other pathological conditions associated with a fused spine include deforming
hypertrophic arthritis (DISH) and some of the other syndromes of erosive joint
disease. Some infectious diseases such as tuberculosis may involve the fusion of a
few vertebrae following partial destruction of the vertebral bodies by the infectious
process. Fusion of some vertebrae can occur during the healing phase in fracture of
the spine. he B-South 40 skeleton did not, however, have features that fit the
pattern of skeletal abnormalities of the above mentioned diseases, thus a different
cause had to be considered.

Another pathologiacl condition associated with fused vertebrae is the result of
excessive levels of fluoride in the diet, particularly in the drinking water, or water
used in food preparation. his condition produces a disease known as fluorosis and
is found in several geographical areas throughout the world where there are
highfluoride concentrations in the local water supplies. ln addition to the fusion of

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