Eponyms in Radiology of the Digestive Tract: Historical Perspectives and Imaging Appear- ances

Eponyms are a means of honoring individuals who have made lasting contributions to medicine. Eponyms are frequently encountered in the field of radiology, especially radiology of the digestive tract. However, the use of eponyms may fail to convey a precise meaning or definition and could result in miscommunication. Furthermore, in some instances, more than one individual may have contributed to the discovery or description of a particular structure or disease, whereas in others, an eponym may have been incorrectly applied and then propagated for years thereafter in the medical literature. Still, eponyms are a means of honoring those who have made important discoveries and observations, and familiarity with these terms is important for proper reporting and accurate communication. Moreover, the acquisition of some historical knowledge about the individuals whose names are associated with various structures or diseases helps restore some humanity to the science of medicine. RSNA, 2006