First diagnosis of septic arthritis in a dinosaur

Identification and interpretation of pathologies in the fossil record allows for unique insights into the life histories of extinct organisms. However, the rarity of such finds limits not only the sample size for palaeopathologic studies, but also the types of analyses that may be performed. In this study, we present the first occurrence of a palaeopathology in a vertebrate from the Mesozoic of the East Coast of North America (Appalachia), a pathologic ulna and radius of an indeterminate hadrosaur from the Navesink Formation (New Jersey). X-ray microtomography allowed for both detailed and more accurate diagnosis of the pathologic condition as well as virtual conservation of the specimen. Based on extant archosaurian comparisons, the hadrosaur was diagnosed with severe septic arthritis affecting the proximal ulna and radius. Diagnosis was based on erosion of the joint and highly reactive periosteal bone growth and fusion of the elements. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first r...对化石记录中病理特征的识别与解读，可为已灭绝生物的生活史提供独一无二的研究视角。然而此类化石发现的稀缺性，不仅限制了古病理学研究的样本规模，也制约了可开展的分析类型。本研究报道了北美东海岸（阿巴拉契亚地区）中生代脊椎动物化石中首例古病理病例：一件来自新泽西州内弗辛克组、未定属种鸭嘴龙的病变尺骨与桡骨。X射线显微断层成像（X-ray microtomography）不仅实现了对该病理状况的精细化且更为精准的诊断，还完成了该标本的虚拟保全。通过与现生初龙类的对比研究，我们诊断该鸭嘴龙罹患了累及尺骨与桡骨近端的重症化脓性关节炎。本次诊断基于关节侵蚀、显著的骨膜骨增生以及骨骼结构的融合。据我们所知，这是首例r...