Diagnostic Methods Used in Detecting Multiple Myeloma in Paleopathological Research—A Narrative Review

Objective: This study aims to analyze and evaluate the diagnostic methods used to detect multiple myeloma in paleopathological research. As a malignancy characterized by bone lesions, multiple myeloma presents unique opportunities for study through the paleopathological analysis of human skeletal re...

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Main Authors: Kinga Brawańska-Maśluch, Cyprian Olchowy, Grzegorz Mikita, Marta Wanat, Ada Świątko, Michał Krotliński, Martyna Byrska, Joanna Grzelak, Krzysztof Data, Paweł Dąbrowski
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Heritage
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/5/166
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author Kinga Brawańska-Maśluch
Cyprian Olchowy
Grzegorz Mikita
Marta Wanat
Ada Świątko
Michał Krotliński
Martyna Byrska
Joanna Grzelak
Krzysztof Data
Paweł Dąbrowski
author_facet Kinga Brawańska-Maśluch
Cyprian Olchowy
Grzegorz Mikita
Marta Wanat
Ada Świątko
Michał Krotliński
Martyna Byrska
Joanna Grzelak
Krzysztof Data
Paweł Dąbrowski
author_sort Kinga Brawańska-Maśluch
collection DOAJ
description Objective: This study aims to analyze and evaluate the diagnostic methods used to detect multiple myeloma in paleopathological research. As a malignancy characterized by bone lesions, multiple myeloma presents unique opportunities for study through the paleopathological analysis of human skeletal remains. Methods: A literature review was conducted across PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, focusing on macroscopic, radiological, and microscopic methods. A total of 43 original peer-reviewed studies published over six decades were selected. Results: The most commonly used diagnostic technique was macroscopic analysis of bone material, focusing on the characteristics of the lesions. Radiological methods, including X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography (CT), and micro-CT, provided complementary insights. Various microscopic techniques, chemical analyses, and fluoroscopy provided additional diagnostic detail. The diagnostic process is shaped by factors such as preservation, context, and access to technology; despite these variables, characteristic features of lesions were consistently recognized. Conclusion: This review highlights how macroscopic analysis remains central to diagnosis in paleopathology, with radiological and microscopic methods increasingly enhancing accuracy and interpretive depth. A multidisciplinary approach, combining macroscopic, radiological, microscopic, and chemical analyses where feasible, continues to strengthen paleopathological research and offers new insights into the historical presence of multiple myeloma.
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spelling doaj-art-8aa532c66c6b4c9ca8ef3fb92b38da932025-08-20T02:33:44ZengMDPI AGHeritage2571-94082025-05-018516610.3390/heritage8050166Diagnostic Methods Used in Detecting Multiple Myeloma in Paleopathological Research—A Narrative ReviewKinga Brawańska-Maśluch0Cyprian Olchowy1Grzegorz Mikita2Marta Wanat3Ada Świątko4Michał Krotliński5Martyna Byrska6Joanna Grzelak7Krzysztof Data8Paweł Dąbrowski9Division of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Department of Physiology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, PolandCollegium Medicum, Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, 42-200 Czestochowa, PolandStudent Scientific Association of Paleoanatomy, Division of Anatomy, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, PolandStudent Scientific Association of Clinical and Dissecting Anatomy Students Scientific Club, Division of Anatomy, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, PolandStudent Scientific Association of Clinical and Dissecting Anatomy Students Scientific Club, Division of Anatomy, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, PolandStudent Scientific Association of Paleoanatomy, Division of Anatomy, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, PolandStudent Scientific Association of Paleoanatomy, Division of Anatomy, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, PolandDivision of Anatomy, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, PolandDivision of Anatomy, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, PolandDivision of Anatomy, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, PolandObjective: This study aims to analyze and evaluate the diagnostic methods used to detect multiple myeloma in paleopathological research. As a malignancy characterized by bone lesions, multiple myeloma presents unique opportunities for study through the paleopathological analysis of human skeletal remains. Methods: A literature review was conducted across PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, focusing on macroscopic, radiological, and microscopic methods. A total of 43 original peer-reviewed studies published over six decades were selected. Results: The most commonly used diagnostic technique was macroscopic analysis of bone material, focusing on the characteristics of the lesions. Radiological methods, including X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography (CT), and micro-CT, provided complementary insights. Various microscopic techniques, chemical analyses, and fluoroscopy provided additional diagnostic detail. The diagnostic process is shaped by factors such as preservation, context, and access to technology; despite these variables, characteristic features of lesions were consistently recognized. Conclusion: This review highlights how macroscopic analysis remains central to diagnosis in paleopathology, with radiological and microscopic methods increasingly enhancing accuracy and interpretive depth. A multidisciplinary approach, combining macroscopic, radiological, microscopic, and chemical analyses where feasible, continues to strengthen paleopathological research and offers new insights into the historical presence of multiple myeloma.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/5/166multiple myelomadiagnostic methodspaleopathological researchradiologic methodsmacroscopic methodsmicroscopic techniques
spellingShingle Kinga Brawańska-Maśluch
Cyprian Olchowy
Grzegorz Mikita
Marta Wanat
Ada Świątko
Michał Krotliński
Martyna Byrska
Joanna Grzelak
Krzysztof Data
Paweł Dąbrowski
Diagnostic Methods Used in Detecting Multiple Myeloma in Paleopathological Research—A Narrative Review
Heritage
multiple myeloma
diagnostic methods
paleopathological research
radiologic methods
macroscopic methods
microscopic techniques
title Diagnostic Methods Used in Detecting Multiple Myeloma in Paleopathological Research—A Narrative Review
title_full Diagnostic Methods Used in Detecting Multiple Myeloma in Paleopathological Research—A Narrative Review
title_fullStr Diagnostic Methods Used in Detecting Multiple Myeloma in Paleopathological Research—A Narrative Review
title_full_unstemmed Diagnostic Methods Used in Detecting Multiple Myeloma in Paleopathological Research—A Narrative Review
title_short Diagnostic Methods Used in Detecting Multiple Myeloma in Paleopathological Research—A Narrative Review
title_sort diagnostic methods used in detecting multiple myeloma in paleopathological research a narrative review
topic multiple myeloma
diagnostic methods
paleopathological research
radiologic methods
macroscopic methods
microscopic techniques
url https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/5/166
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