Venous Thrombosis: Venothromboembolic Disease of the Lower Extremities

Prior to the advent of advanced imaging techniques, physicians devised a variety of physical examination maneuvers, described as signs of medical eponyms, as methods to detect lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) or venothromboembolism (VTE). Eponyms are present in the medical literature because they often reflect a simpler and concise way of describing a phenomenon. They are honorific terms ascribed to individuals for their accomplishments, which may include identifying such things as a disease, structure, sign, test, procedure, syndrome, maneuver, medical device, or surgical technique. Eponyms are derived from the name of a person, but not necessarily the first, who reported, described, or significantly contributed to the clinical understanding of the occurrence. The use of eponyms remains controversial and important questions have been raised regarding their appropriateness. Although there have been instances where eponyms were abandoned, the remainder are by and large embedded within the established and contemporary medical literature making their disappearance unlikely.