Barré-Lieou syndrome and the problem of the obsolete eponym.
J Laryngol Otol
; 121(7): 680-3, 2007 Jul.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-17052362
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Eponym lists in major sources can give an aura of legitimacy to discredited diagnoses, as exemplified by the case of Barré-Lieou syndrome, a 'rare' vestibular disorder.METHODS:
A literature review for information on the posterior cervical syndrome of Barré-Lieou.RESULTS:
Barré-Lieou syndrome includes very common symptoms--tinnitus, dizziness, and head or neck pain--attributed to ischaemia caused by cervical sympathetic nerve compression. Its original description brings together many unrelated disorders, and its causative mechanism has been discredited. However, it appears credulously in a number of eponym lists, and references to the syndrome are steadily increasing on the internet in general and on alternative medicine and legal profession websites in particular.CONCLUSION:
By inclusion in eponym lists, without a disclaimer, a syndrome can be given legitimacy before the general public. A syndrome, such as Barré-Lieou syndrome, that is useless to the medical profession can unfortunately prove to be very useful for litigants and disability claimants.
Search on Google
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Spinal Osteophytosis
/
Sympathetic Nervous System
/
Cerebrovascular Disorders
/
Eponyms
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
Language:
En
Journal:
J Laryngol Otol
Year:
2007
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States