What's in a name? Eponyms in head and neck imaging.

Head and neck (H&N) eponyms serve to honour physicians who have made important contributions. Compared with more descriptive diagnostic names, eponyms can sometimes be confusing, especially to the novice. Adding to the confusion, eponyms are sometimes applied incorrectly. Nevertheless, their use remains common in the medical literature and clinical practice. Familiarity with H&N eponyms is important for accurate communication with radiology colleagues and clinicians. Some eponyms describe potentially fatal infections and their urgency should be appreciated. Other eponyms, such as those for inner ear congenital anomalies, are probably best avoided as they can be used imprecisely and cause confusion. This review summarizes the clinical and imaging findings of some common and important H&N eponyms under the following categories of disease: (1) neck infections, (2) diseases in the temporal bone, (3) orbital diseases, and (4) sinus disease.

Duke Scholars

Author James D. Eastwood Radiology, Neuroradiology