Eponyms

Eponyms

Medical terms past through the generations either associated with physical exam findings or pathology attached to a physican's name, or an anatomic structure.

Adson's Sign

• Decreased radial pulse with neck turn and breath holding
• Associated with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Abernethy malformation

Congenital anomaly of the splanchnic vasculature, arises from defects in vitelline vein formation; in type 1, portal vein completely diverted into IVC and complete absence of formation of intrahepatic portal vein; in type 2, portal venous system is formed, but there is an abnormal communication with systemic veins, usually IVC; associated with hepatic encephalopathy and hepatopulmonary syndrome; more common in dogs, particularly Yorkshire terriers.

Achenbach's syndrome

Rare entity of spontaneous or mechanically-induced hematomas on the volar aspect of fingers associated with burning pain and swelling of the digits.

Addison's disease

Primary adrenal insufficiency. Bilateral adrenal destruction by tuberculosis used to be most common cause, now only accounts for 7-20% of cases. Now autoimmune disease 70-90%, remainder caused by infectious disease, metastasis or lymphoma, adrenal hemorrhage, infarction, or drugs.

Adie's pupil

Tonic pupil, larger than contralateral unaffected pupil, reacts sluggishly to changes in illumination; see also Holmes-Adie syndrome; seen in young women and has no neurologic significance.

Adler Sign

For distinguishing appendicitis from adnexal or uterine pain (TOA vs Appendicitis). If the point of maximal tenderness shifts medially with repositioning on the left lateral side, etiology generally gynecologic.

Adson's Sign

In thoracic outlet syndrome, decrease in ipsilateral radial pulse and/or presence of subclavian bruit while patient extending neck maximally, rotating head towards side being tested, and holding breath.

Artery of Adamkiewicz

Artery that when severed, can lead to anterior spinal syndrome; can be severed in abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Adamson's fringe

In tinea capitis, the location of the terminal tuft of hyphae; weakest point of hair located just about Adamson's fringe.

Ahumada-del Castillo syndrome

Galactorrhea-amenorrhea not associated with pregnancy.

Aicardi syndrome

Partial or complete agenesis of corpus callosum, infantile spasms, mental retardation, lacunae of the retina; occurs only in females; likely X-linked dominant with lethality in males; described in 1965.

Ainhum Disease

Autoamputation of a digit, usually of the fifth toe from a constricting scar in the form of a band or groove; usually from trauma acquired from walking barefoot; felt to be more common in tropics in patients of African descent; "ainhum" means "fissure" in one of the indigenous language in Brazil.

Alagille Syndrome

Inherited cholestatic syndrome, associated with biliary hypoplasia (ductopenia), vertebral anomalies, prominent forehead, deep-set eyes, peripheral pulmonic stenosis. Autosomal dominant, associated with mutation in JAG1 or NOTCH2.

Albers-Schönberg Disease

Osteopetrosis or marble bone disease, autosomal dominant. Characterized by sclerosis, mainly involving the spline, pelvis, and skull base, and paradoxical fragility of bones. Due to mutation in CLCN7 gene.

Alberts Test

For diagnosing hemineglect; patient presented with multiple lines on a page and asked to cross them out; if >70% of crossed out lines are ipsilateral to motor deficit, hemineglect is diagnosed

Albrights Hereditary Osteodystrophy

Pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1a, from lack of renal responsiveness to parathyroid hormone, resulting in low serum calcium, high serum phosphate, and appropriately high serum parathyroid hormone. Associated with short stature, characteristically shortened fourth and fifth metacarpals, and rounded facies.

Alder-Reilly Anomaly

Large, dark, pink-purple granules in cytoplasm of neutrophils; autosomal recessive trait resulting in abnormal granule development in neutrophils resembling severe toxic granulation. Associated with mucopolysaccharidoses (e.g. Hurler's syndrome, etc.).

Alexanders Disease

Leukodystrophy-like neurodegenerative disease presenting in infancy or childhood; characterized by Rosenthal fibers. Presents with megalencephaly followed by progressive spasticity and dementia. From mutation in GFAP.

Alexander's Law

Peripheral vestibular nystagmus increases in intensity when the gaze is in the direction of the fast phase, and decreases in intensity when the gaze is away from the fast phase.

Allen's Sign

In pulmonary embolism, fever, tachycardia, and tachypnea; present in only 23% of cases.

Allen's Test

For demonstrating patent ulnar artery and an intact superficial palmar arch, patient's hand is initially held high while fist is clenched and both radial and ulnar arteries are compressed, hand then lowered and fist is opened; after ulnar pressure released, color should return to the hand within 6 seconds.

Allgrove syndrome

Triad of achalasia, adrenal insufficiency and alacrima (also known as AAA syndrome). Autosomal recessive, described in 1978, associated with mutation in gene encoding aladin.

Allis sign

In congenital hip dislocation, difference in knee height when child is supine with knees flexed and feet are flat on examination table.

Alports Syndrome

Hereditary nephritis associated with end stage renal disease accompanied by deafness and various eye disorders, including lens dislocation, posterior cataracts, and corneal dystrophy; a few families have large platelets (20-25 fL), thrombocytopenia, and leukocyte inclusions which resemble May-Hegglin anomaly. Associated with mutations in collagen IV.

Alström's syndrome

Autosomal recessive disorder with obesity, childhood blindness due to retinal degeneration, nerve deafness, vasopressin-resistant diabetes insipidus, and in males, hypogonadism with high plasma gonadotropin levels (end organ resistance to hormones), also baldness, hyperuricemia, hypertriglyceridemia, aminoaciduria.

Amadori product

Products of early non enzymatic glycosylation of proteins.

Ambesh maneuver

Internal jugular vein occlusion test for diagnosis of misplaced subclavian vein catheter into the internal jugular vein. Apply external pressure to the internal jugular vein and observe for change in central venous pressure and wave form.

Amyand's hernia

Appendix contained within an incarcerated inguinal hernia (n.b. first appendectomy done by Claudius Amyand).

Brudzinski Sign

• Forced neck flexion produces hip+knee flexion
• Associated with Meningitis

Cheyne-Stokes Breathing

• Breathing alternates between fast and slow
• Associated with CNS disease

Chvostek's Sign

• Facial spasm elicited by tapping facial nerve
• Associated with Hypocalcemia

Dance's Sign

• Emptiness to palpation in RLQ
• Associated with Intussusception

de Musset's Sign

• Head bobbing with each systole
• Associated with Aortic Insufficiency

Ewart's Sign

• Dull to percussion at L scapula
• Associated with Pericardial Effusions

Fathergi’s Sign

• Abdomen more tender with sitting up
• Associated with muscle strain

Grey Turner's Sign

• Flank ecchymossis
• Associated with Retroperitoneal bleeds

Hamman’s Crunch

• Crunching sound with each heartbeat on auscultation
• Associated with Pneumomediastinum

Hoffman's Sign

• Flicking tip of 3rd finger causes thumb flexion
• Associated with UMN disease

Horner’s Sign

• Ptosis, Anhydrosis, Miosis
• Caused by a Sympathetic lesion

Ishihara's Sign

• Color blindness when viewing colored cards

Janeway's Lesions

• Painless red embolic hand lesions
• Associated with Endocarditis

Kussmaul's Sign

• JVD increases with inspiration
• Seen with Pericardial Tamponade

Levine's Sign

• Clenched fist over chest
• Seen in a massive myocardial infarction

Murphy's Sign

• Inspiratory splint with c RUQ pressure
• Associated with Cholecystitis

Nikolsky's Sign

• Lateral pressure on blister causes extension
• Seen in Pemphigus, TEN, Staph Scalded Skin Syndrome and epidermal disruption

Osler's Nodes

• Tender Nodules on palms
• Seen in Endocarditis

Phalen's Sign

• Prolonged wrist flexion causes median nerve paresthesias
• Seen in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Pregerson's Sign

• Subpatellar bulge with kness flexed
• Associated with Knee effusion

Prehn's Sign

• Testicle pain relieved by support
• Thought to be positive in Epidymitis and negative in Torsion

Psoas Sign

Hip flexion vs resistance increases abdominal pain

• Seen in appendicitis

Quincke's Sign

• Nail bed pulsations with pressure
• Associated with Aortic Insufficiency

Romberg's Sign

• Patient falls over with eyes closed
• A sign of decreased proprioception with posterior spinal column disease

Rovsing's Sign

• LLQ percussion causes RLQ pain
• Seen in appendicitis

Rumpel Leede

• Petechiae from capillary leak after tourniquet or BP cuff
• Associated with Dengue, RMSF, Scarlatina

Steinberg Sign

• Thumb IP joint can project past ulnar edge of pinky
• Marfan's disease

Thompson's Sign

• Calf squeeze does not cause plantar flexion
• Diagnostic of Achilles tendon rupture

Tinel's Sign

• Percussion of median nerve at wrist provokes paresthesias
• Seen in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Traube's Sign

• Pistol shot sound at femoral artery associated with Aoric insufficiency

Trousseau's Sign

• Carpal spasm from BP cuff associated with Hypocalcemia

Uhthoff's Sign

• Increased body temp causes worsening neuro symptoms
• Seen in Multiple sclerosis

Vircow's Nodes

• Palpable left supraclavicular lymph node
• seen in malignancies especially Pancreatic or GI cancer

Von Graefe's Sign

• Lid lag with visual tracking from hight to low
• Associated with Grave's disease

Walker’s Sign

• 1st and 5th digit encircling other wrist overlap proximal to DIP
• More common with Marfan's Disease

Weber Test

• Tuning fork when placed mid forehead is heard heard asymmetrically greater on the side that does not have a conductive hearing deficit

Yerganson's Sign

• Pain and weakness with resisted supination
• Common in Biceps Tendonitis