Thecaloscopy/Thecoscopy

Sir,

We have read with interest the series of original articles “Thecaloscopy Parts I - III” in this journal by Warnke et al. [1] [2] [3].

We would like to make a partial correction as far as the use of the term “thecaloscopy” is concerned. The above term is a composite one, comprised of two words of Greek origin: a) theca ( = sleeve, case, bag) and b) scopy ( = look through, visualize, observe, view).

The two words (theca and scopy), when combined as a complex term, should read theco-scopy, as in endo-scopy, arthro-scopy, gastro-scopy, procto-scopy, thoraco-scopy etc. The authors probably created their term by taking the paradigm of ventricu-lo-scopy (from Latin ventriculus) which is a combination of a Latin and a Greek word. The same applies to terms such as canalicu-lo-scopy (from canaliculus).

Hence, the term theca-lo-scopy is grammatically incorrect and semantically inappropriate. It should, therefore, be substituted by the term “thecoscopy”.

References

• 1 Warnke J P, Tschabitscher M, Nobles A. Thecaloscopy: The endoscopy of the lumbar subarachnoid space, Part I: Historical review and own cadaver studies.  Minim Invas Neurosurg. 2001;  44 61-64
• 2 Warnke J P, Mourgela S, Tschabitscher M, Dzelzitis J. Thecaloscopy, Part II: Anatomical landmarks.  Minim Invas Neurosurg. 2001;  44 181-185
• 3 Warnke J P, Köppert H, Bensch-Schreiter B, Dzelzitis J, Tschabitscher M. Thecaloscopy, Part III: First clinical application.  Minim Invas Neurosurg. 2003;  46 94-99