HENNEBERT'S SIGN Meaning and Definition
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Hennebert's sign is a medical term referring to a specific diagnostic finding associated with a condition called superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD). This sign is named after Prosper Hennebert, a Belgian otologist who first described its existence in the late 19th century.
Hennebert's sign is characterized by a sudden onset of vertigo or dizziness accompanied by cochlear symptoms, such as hearing loss or tinnitus, in response to changes in middle ear pressure or sound stimuli. This phenomenon occurs due to a small hole or abnormal opening in the bone that covers the superior semicircular canal, which is one of the structures responsible for maintaining balance in the inner ear.
When pressure changes or loud sounds are encountered, such as during sneezing, coughing, or ear popping, the abnormal opening in the superior semicircular canal allows the transmission of sound and pressure waves directly onto the cochlea. As a result, individuals with Hennebert's sign may experience symptoms like dizziness, disequilibrium, nausea, vomiting, and even sensitivity to sound.
Hennebert's sign is considered a crucial diagnostic indicator of superior semicircular canal dehiscence and can often be confirmed through specific diagnostic tests, such as vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) or high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans. Treatment options for superior semicircular canal dehiscence depend on the severity of symptoms and can range from conservative management, such as avoiding triggers, to surgical repair of the dehiscence.
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Pneumatic sign; in cases of heredosyphilitic labyrinthitis, compression of the air in the external auditory canal causes a slow horizontal movement of the eyes to the side of the lesion, while rarefaction of the air in this canal causes a movement to the side opposite the lesion.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HENNEBERT'S SIGN
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Etymology of HENNEBERT'S SIGN
The term "Hennebert's sign" is named after a Belgian otologist named Pierre Hennebert. He first described the sign in 1900.
The word "sign" in medical terminology refers to an objective indication or evidence of a condition or disease. In this case, "Hennebert's sign" specifically refers to a diagnostic sign related to the vestibular system.
As for the name "Hennebert", it simply recognizes the contribution of Pierre Hennebert to the field of otology and his discovery of this specific sign.
