Serendipity in oto-rhino-laryngology.
Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol
; 281(7): 3319-3324, 2024 Jul.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38324054
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Serendipitous findings are findings that were initially unsought but nevertheless contribute to the development of the discipline. This article reviews eight serendipitous findings in oto-rhino-laryngology important to its advancement.METHOD:
The following serendipitous findings are discussed the accidental discovery of the laryngeal mirror and indirect laryngoscopy by Garcia (1854), the invention of direct oesophagoscopy by Kußmaul (circa 1868), Czermák's (1863) development of diaphanoscopy, the unintentional emergence of bronchography from a clinical error made by Weingartner (1914), adenotomy by Meyer (1869), the discovery of the causes of unbalance related to the vestibular nerve by Flourens (1830), Bárány's (1914) finding that the semi-circular canal reflex is involved in equilibrium, and the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux and middle-ear infections by Poelmans and Feenstra (2002).DISCUSSION:
Based on these case studies we conclude that serendipity, defined as the art of making an initially unsought find, does not always appear out of nowhere. Often the researcher is already wrestling with a problem for which the serendipitous finding provides a solution. Sometimes the serendipitous finding enables the application of a known solution to a new problem. And sometimes a serendipitous finding is not recognized as such or considered unimportant. Since observations tend to be theory-loaded, having appropriate background knowledge is a conditio sine qua non to elaborate an unanticipated observation.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Otolaringología
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol
Asunto de la revista:
OTORRINOLARINGOLOGIA
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Países Bajos