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Politzer's test – but which one? A plea for standardisation of terms in otology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 June 2022

A Mudry  and
J R Young Open the ORCID record for J R Young [Opens in a new window]
A Mudry
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, California, USA
J R Young*
Affiliation:
Retired General ENT Surgeon, Bideford, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Dr John Riddington Young, West Barton Farm, Horwood, BidefordEX39 4PB, UK E-mail: riddingtonyoung@gmail.com
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Abstract

Background

Politzer's tuning fork test is a little-known special examination with a chequered history.

Objective

This paper gives Politzer's original description, and explains how he intended it to be used.

Methods

The historiographical research in this study is based on primary references. Secondary documentation is only cited when it is necessary to substantiate any historical argument.

Results and conclusion

After the apparent disappearance of Politzer's tuning fork test from the otological scene in the 1950s, its consequent resurrection was not what it seemed. This story underlines the need for a standardisation of otological nomenclature, particularly when eponyms are used.

Keywords

OtologyHistoryPolitzerTuning Fork TestEponymsStandardization
Type
Review Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 136 , Issue 11 , November 2022 , pp. 1023 - 1026
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED

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Footnotes

Dr J R Young takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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