Marcel Lermoyez
Encyclopedia
Marcel Lermoyez was a French otolaryngologist and surgeon
who was a native of Cambrai
. In 1886 he received his doctorate in Paris
, and in 1891 became Médecin des Hôpitaux. In 1892 he traveled to Vienna
to study with famed otologist Adam Politzer
(1835-1920). During this period of time, Lermoyez decided to specialize in otorhinolaryngology
. In 1896 he established a private clinic in Paris, and in 1898 was appointed to the Hôpital Saint-Antoine where he established an otolaryngology facility. In 1910 he became only the second otologist to be elected to the Academy of Medicine; the first being Prosper Ménière
(1799-1862).
Marcel Lermoyez is credited for establishing otolaryngology as a specialized medical field in France. He made important contributions in the research of diseases such as tuberculosis
of the ear
, otosclerosis
, and otogenous meningitis
.
In 1892 he founded the journal Annales des Maladies des Oreilles et du Larynx, and in 1894 he published Rhinologie, otologie, laryngologie: Enseignement et pratique de la Faculté de Médecine de Vienne, which was a result of his experiences in Vienna, and was an important work in the founding of the "French School of Otolaryngology". After the death of his son in 1923, Lermoyez became completely withdrawn, and remained depressed until his death in 1929.
Surgeon
In medicine, a surgeon is a specialist in surgery. Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body, whether human or animal, for a specific reason such as the removal of diseased tissue or to repair a tear or breakage...
who was a native of Cambrai
Cambrai
Cambrai is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.Cambrai is the seat of an archdiocese whose jurisdiction was immense during the Middle Ages. The territory of the Bishopric of Cambrai, roughly coinciding with the shire of Brabant, included...
. In 1886 he received his doctorate in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, and in 1891 became Médecin des Hôpitaux. In 1892 he traveled to Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
to study with famed otologist Adam Politzer
Ádám Politzer
Adam Politzer was a Hungarian and Austrian physician and one of the pioneers and founders of otology.- Life :Adam Politzer was born in Alberti , near the city of Budapest, to a well-to-do Jewish family....
(1835-1920). During this period of time, Lermoyez decided to specialize in otorhinolaryngology
Otolaryngology
Otolaryngology or ENT is the branch of medicine and surgery that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, throat, and head and neck disorders....
. In 1896 he established a private clinic in Paris, and in 1898 was appointed to the Hôpital Saint-Antoine where he established an otolaryngology facility. In 1910 he became only the second otologist to be elected to the Academy of Medicine; the first being Prosper Ménière
Prosper Ménière
Prosper Ménière , born in Angers, France. Ménière was lycée and university educated where he excelled at humanities and classics. He completed his gold medal in medical studies at Hôtel-Dieu de Paris in 1826, and his M.D...
(1799-1862).
Marcel Lermoyez is credited for establishing otolaryngology as a specialized medical field in France. He made important contributions in the research of diseases such as tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
of the ear
Ear
The ear is the organ that detects sound. It not only receives sound, but also aids in balance and body position. The ear is part of the auditory system....
, otosclerosis
Otosclerosis
Otosclerosis is an abnormal growth of bone near the middle ear. It can result in hearing loss.-Clinical description:Otosclerosis can result in conductive and/or sensorineural hearing loss...
, and otogenous meningitis
Meningitis
Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms, and less commonly by certain drugs...
.
In 1892 he founded the journal Annales des Maladies des Oreilles et du Larynx, and in 1894 he published Rhinologie, otologie, laryngologie: Enseignement et pratique de la Faculté de Médecine de Vienne, which was a result of his experiences in Vienna, and was an important work in the founding of the "French School of Otolaryngology". After the death of his son in 1923, Lermoyez became completely withdrawn, and remained depressed until his death in 1929.
- Associated eponym:
- Lermoyez's syndrome: Tinnitis and loss of hearing prior to an attack of vertigoVertigo (medical)Vertigo is a type of dizziness, where there is a feeling of motion when one is stationary. The symptoms are due to a dysfunction of the vestibular system in the inner ear...
, after which hearing improves. It is considered a variant of labyrinth idropsy, similar to Ménière’s disease. While Ménière's disease is chronic and progressive, Lermoyez's syndrome is an acute phenomenon which results in no damage for the ciliated cells of cochlea. This is possible because the excess of pressure inside the inner ear is reduced by a break of the sacculum, in the vestibular labirynth, with no long term consequence for the cochlea.