{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,12]],"date-time":"2025-10-12T02:33:49Z","timestamp":1760236429867,"version":"build-2065373602"},"reference-count":39,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"12","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2021,11,25]],"date-time":"2021-11-25T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1637798400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Biology"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Human skeletal remains are considered as real biological archives of each subject\u2019s life. Generally, traumas, wounds, surgical interventions, and many human pathologies suffered in life leave identifiable marks on the skeleton, and their correct interpretation is possible only through a meticulous anthropological investigation of skeletal remains. The study here presented concerns the analysis of a young Slavic soldier\u2019s skeleton who died, after his imprisonment, in the concentration camp of Torre Tresca (Bari, Italy), during the Second World War (1946). In particular, the skull exhibited signs of surgical activity on the posterior cranial fossa and the parieto-occipital bones. They could be attributed to surgical procedures performed at different times, showing various degrees of bone edge remodeling. Overall, it was possible to correlate the surgical outcomes highlighted on the skull to the Torkildsen\u2019s ventriculocisternostomy (VCS), the first clinically successful shunt for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion in hydrocephalus, which gained widespread use in the 1940s. For this reason, the skeleton we examined represents a rare, precious, and historical testimony of an emerging and revolutionary neurosurgical technique, which differed from other operations for treating hydrocephalus before the Second World War and was internationally recognized as an efficient procedure before the introduction of extracranial shunts.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/biology10121231","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,11,28]],"date-time":"2021-11-28T22:19:16Z","timestamp":1638137956000},"page":"1231","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Torkildsen\u2019s Ventriculocisternostomy First Applications: The Anthropological Evidence of a Young Slavic Soldier Who Died in the Torre Tresca Concentration Camp (Bari, Italy) in 1946"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"10","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2864-3521","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Sara","family":"Sablone","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11, 70124 Bari, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Massimo","family":"Gallieni","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neurosurgery, International Neuroscience Institute, Rudolf Pichlmayr Str. 4, 30625 Hannover, Germany"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2554-1845","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alessia","family":"Leggio","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11, 70124 Bari, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0325-4316","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Gerardo","family":"Cazzato","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Section of Pathology, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation (DETO), University of Bari \u201cAldo Moro\u201d, 70124 Bari, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Pasquale","family":"Puzo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Section of Ophthalmology, Department of Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, Bari Policlinico Hospital, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Valeria","family":"Santoro","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11, 70124 Bari, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Francesco","family":"Introna","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11, 70124 Bari, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Antonio","family":"De Donno","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11, 70124 Bari, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,11,25]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"Mitchell, P.D. (2012). Morbid Osteology: Evidence for Autopsies, Dissection and Surgical Training from the Newcastle Infirmary Burial Ground (1753\u20131845). Anatomical Dissection in Enlightenment England and Beyond: Autopsy, Pathology and Display, Ashgate."},{"key":"ref_2","first-page":"73","article-title":"A new method for identifying and differentiating human dissection and autopsy in archaeological human skeletal remains","volume":"3","author":"Dittmar","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Archaeol. Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref_3","first-page":"431","article-title":"Fracture characteristics of perimortem trauma in skeletal material","volume":"3","author":"Moraitis","year":"2008","journal-title":"Internet J. Biol. Anthropol."},{"key":"ref_4","unstructured":"Aufderheide, A.C., and Rodr\u00edguez-Mart\u00edn, C. (2011). Skeletal Evidence of Trauma: Part 3. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Human Paleopathology, Cambridge University Press."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"36","DOI":"10.1016\/j.wneu.2021.09.105","article-title":"Cranial Surgery in Italy During the Bronze Age","volume":"157","author":"Arena","year":"2021","journal-title":"World Neurosur."},{"key":"ref_6","first-page":"3","article-title":"Ancient Trepanation","volume":"Volume 95","author":"Finger","year":"2010","journal-title":"Handbook of Clinical Neurology"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"111","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijpp.2017.03.004","article-title":"Reprint of-Differential diagnosis: Trepanation","volume":"19","author":"Verano","year":"2017","journal-title":"Int. J. Paleopathol."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"195","DOI":"10.1007\/s12024-019-00158-7","article-title":"Trepanation in archaic human remains\u2014characteristic features and diagnostic difficulties","volume":"16","author":"Pavlovic","year":"2020","journal-title":"Forensic Sci. Med. Path."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1421","DOI":"10.3171\/2015.1.JNS142659","article-title":"Arne Torkildsen and the ventriculocisternal shunt: The first clinically successful shunt for hydrocephalus","volume":"124","author":"Eide","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Neurosurg."},{"key":"ref_10","unstructured":"Giacomo, S. (2009). Il Bosco dopo il Mare. Partigiani Italiani in Jugoslavia, 1943\u20131945, Infinito Editori. [1st ed.]."},{"key":"ref_11","unstructured":"Simon, T. (1998). Britain, Mihailovic, and the Chetniks, 1941-42, Palgrave Macmillan."},{"key":"ref_12","unstructured":"Powers, N. (2021, September 28). Human Osteology Method Statement. Museum of London. Available online: https:\/\/www.museumoflondon.org.uk\/application\/files\/4814\/5633\/5269\/osteology-method-statement-revised-2012.pdf."},{"key":"ref_13","unstructured":"Buikstra, J.E., and Ubelaker, D.H. (1994). Standards for Data Collection from Human Skeletal Remains, Arkansas Archeological Survey Reserach Series."},{"key":"ref_14","unstructured":"McKern, T.W., and Stewart, T.D. (1957). United States. Army. Quartermaster Research & Development Command; Quartermaster Research and Development Center (U.S.); Environmental Protection Research Division. Skeletal Age Changes in Young American Males: Analysed from the Standpoint of Age Identification, National Government Publication."},{"key":"ref_15","first-page":"103","article-title":"Methoden zur Diagnose des Lebensalters von Skelettfunden","volume":"24","year":"1960","journal-title":"Anthropologischer"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"47","DOI":"10.1002\/ajpa.1330680105","article-title":"Dental Wear in Libben Population: Its Functional Pattern and Role in the Determination of Adult Skeletal Age at Death","volume":"68","author":"Lovejoy","year":"1985","journal-title":"Am. J. Phys. Anthrop."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"227","DOI":"10.1007\/BF02437238","article-title":"Skeletal age determination based on the os pubis: A comparison of the Acs\u00e1di-Nemesk\u00e9ri and Suchey-Brooks methods","volume":"5","author":"Brooks","year":"1990","journal-title":"Hum. Evol."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1203","DOI":"10.1520\/JFS15551J","article-title":"Variability of the pattern of aging on the human skeleton: Evidence from bone indicators and implications on age at death estimation","volume":"47","author":"Schmitt","year":"2002","journal-title":"J. Forensic Sci."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"231","DOI":"10.1002\/ajpa.10130","article-title":"Age estimation from the auricular surface of the ilium: A revised method","volume":"119","author":"Buckberry","year":"2002","journal-title":"Am. J. Phys. Anthropol."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"57","DOI":"10.1002\/ajpa.1330680106","article-title":"Ectocranial suture closure: A revised method for the determination of skeletal age at death based on the lateral-anterior sutures","volume":"68","author":"Meindl","year":"1985","journal-title":"Am. J. Phys. Anthropol."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"79","DOI":"10.1002\/ajpa.1330160106","article-title":"A re-evaluation of estimation of stature based on measurements of stature taken during life and of long bones after death","volume":"16","author":"Trotter","year":"1958","journal-title":"Am. J. Phys. Anthropol."},{"key":"ref_22","unstructured":"Martin, R., and Saller, K. (1958). Lehrbuch der Anthropologie, Gustav Fischer Verlag. [7th ed.]."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ferrara, S.D. (2017). Post Mortem Anthropology and Trauma Analysis. P5 Medicine and Justice, Springer.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-319-67092-8"},{"key":"ref_24","unstructured":"Reichs, K. (1998). The Timing of Injuries and Manner of Death: Distinguishing Among Antemortem, Perimortem and Postmortem Trauma. Forensic Osteology: Advances in the Identification of Human Remains, Charles C Thomas Publisher."},{"key":"ref_25","first-page":"98","article-title":"Assessing post-traumatic time interval in human dry bone","volume":"25","author":"Hammer","year":"2012","journal-title":"Int. J. Osteoarchaeol."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3549","DOI":"10.1007\/s12520-019-00780-0","article-title":"How reliable is the assessment of Porotic hyperostosis and Cribra Orbitalia in skeletal human remains? A methodological approach for quantitative verification by means of a new evaluation form","volume":"11","author":"Rinaldo","year":"2019","journal-title":"Archaeol. Anthropol. Sci."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"199","DOI":"10.1537\/ase.100302","article-title":"Porotic hyperostosis and cribra orbitalia: The erythropoietic response to iron-deficiency anaemia","volume":"118","author":"Oxenham","year":"2010","journal-title":"Anthropol. Sci."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"109","DOI":"10.1002\/ajpa.21031","article-title":"The causes of porotic hyperostosis and cribra orbitalia: A reappraisal of the iron-deficiency-anemia hypothesis","volume":"139","author":"Walker","year":"2009","journal-title":"Am. J. Biol. Anthropol."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101632","DOI":"10.1016\/j.legalmed.2019.101632","article-title":"An investigative strategy for assessment of injuries in forensic anthropology","volume":"42","author":"Bramanti","year":"2020","journal-title":"Leg. Med."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"139","DOI":"10.1002\/(SICI)1096-8644(1997)25+<139::AID-AJPA6>3.0.CO;2-#","article-title":"Trauma analysis in paleopathology","volume":"40","author":"Lovell","year":"1997","journal-title":"Yerbk Am. J. Phys. Anthropol."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"67","DOI":"10.1007\/s101430050035","article-title":"The scientific history of hydrocephalus and its treatment","volume":"22","author":"Aschoff","year":"1999","journal-title":"Neurosurg. Rev."},{"key":"ref_32","first-page":"51","article-title":"Obstructive hydrocephalus","volume":"12","author":"Pennybacker","year":"1953","journal-title":"Ann. R. Coll. Surg. Engl."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"461","DOI":"10.1093\/ons\/opz194","article-title":"Craniometrics and Ventricular Access: A Review of Kocher\u2019s, Kaufman\u2019s, Paine\u2019s, Menovksy\u2019s, Tubbs\u2019, Keen\u2019s, Frazier\u2019s, Dandy\u2019s, and Sanchez\u2019s Points","volume":"18","author":"Morone","year":"2020","journal-title":"Oper. Neurosurg."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"5","DOI":"10.1097\/00000658-191807000-00002","article-title":"Ventriculography following the injection of air into the cerebral ventricles","volume":"68","author":"Dandy","year":"1918","journal-title":"Ann. Surg."},{"key":"ref_35","first-page":"480","article-title":"The gross anatomy of the lateral ventricles","volume":"68","author":"Torkildsen","year":"1934","journal-title":"J. Anat."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1136\/jnnp.26.1.1","article-title":"Treatment of hydrocephalus: An historical and critical review of methods and results","volume":"26","author":"Scarff","year":"1963","journal-title":"J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"221","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1600-0447.1939.tb06636.x","article-title":"A new palliative operation in cases of inoperable occlusion of the sylvian aqueduct","volume":"14","author":"Torkildsen","year":"1939","journal-title":"Acta Psychiatr. Scand."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"251","DOI":"10.1016\/S0022-3476(51)80117-3","article-title":"A review of the surgical treatment of internal hydrocephalus","volume":"38","author":"Jackson","year":"1951","journal-title":"J. Pediatr."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"25","DOI":"10.1016\/j.forsciint.2014.08.021","article-title":"Cranial trauma and the assessment of posttraumatic survival time","volume":"244","author":"Steyn","year":"2014","journal-title":"Forensic Sci. Int."}],"container-title":["Biology"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2079-7737\/10\/12\/1231\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T07:35:57Z","timestamp":1760168157000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2079-7737\/10\/12\/1231"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2021,11,25]]},"references-count":39,"journal-issue":{"issue":"12","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,12]]}},"alternative-id":["biology10121231"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/biology10121231","relation":{},"ISSN":["2079-7737"],"issn-type":[{"type":"electronic","value":"2079-7737"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2021,11,25]]}}}