Skip to main content
Log in

Martin ‘Dick’ Wittenborg 1914–1969: a legacy

  • Historical Perspective
  • Published:
Pediatric Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

    We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

    Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Abstract

The life of Martin H. Wittenborg was short. During his tenure at Boston Children’s Hospital, he wrote brilliant papers based on his observations regarding such entities as intestinal malrotation and vascular rings and slings. He wrote about his extensive experience using radiotherapy in the treatment of neuroblastoma and its effects on the growing spine. This article reflects the memories of some of his students, who describe him as a brilliant teacher. His effect on so many and his contributions are all the more remarkable considering the fact that Wittenborg was deaf.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Neuhauser EB, Harris GB (1970) Martin Herman Wittenborg, M.D., 1914–1969. Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med 108:860–861

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Houston CS, Wittenborg MH (1965) Roentgen evaluation of anomalies of rotation and fixation of the bowel in children. Radiology 84:1–18

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Dott NM (1923) Anomalies of intestinal rotation: their embryology and surgical aspects: with report of five cases. Br J Surg 11:251–286

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Lampl B, Levin TL, Berdon WE et al (2009) Malrotation and midgut volvulus: a historical review and current controversies in diagnosis and management. Pediatr Radiol 39:359–366

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Wittenborg MH (1950) Roentgen therapy in neuroblastoma; a review of seventy three cases. Radiology 54:679–688

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Farber S (1940) Neuroblastoma. Am J Dis Child 60:749–751

    Google Scholar 

  7. Tefft M, Wittenborg MH (1968) Radiotherapeutic management of neuroblastoma in childhood. JAMA 205:159–160

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Jacobson HM, Marcus RB Jr, Thar TL et al (1983) Pediatric neuroblastoma: postoperative radiation therapy using less than 2000 rad. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 9:501–505

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Neuhauser EBD, Wittenborg MH, Berman CZ et al (1952) Irradiation effects of roentgen therapy on the growing spine. Radiology 59:637–650

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Neuhauser EB, Wittenborg MH (1953) Pediatric radiology. N Engl J Med 249:62–68

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Bluemke DA, Fishman EK, Scott WW Jr (1994) Skeletal complications of radiation therapy. Radiographics 14:111–121

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Heaston DK, Libshitz HI, Chan RC (1979) Skeletal effects of megavoltage irradiation in survivors of Wilms’ tumor. AJR Am J Roentgenol 133:389–395

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Wittenborg MH (1953) Radiology. Annu Rev Med 4:299–316

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Potts WJ, Holinger PH, Rosenblum AH (1954) Anomalous left pulmonary artery causing obstruction to right main bronchus. J Am Med Assoc 155:1409–1411

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Rosenberg BF, Tantiwongse T, Wittenborg MH (1956) Anomalous course of left pulmonary artery with respiratory obstruction. Radiology 67:339–345

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Stewart JR, Kincaid OW, Edwards JE (1964) Malformations with right aortic arch. In: An atlas of vascular rings and related malformations of the aortic arch system. Thomas Publishing Co., New York, pp 80–129

  17. Berdon WE, Baker DH (1972) Vascular anomalies and the infant lung: rings, slings, and other things. Semin Roentgenol 7:39–64

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Wittenborg MH, Neuhauser EBD (1955) Diagnostic roentgenology in congenital heart disease. Circulation 11:462–485

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Guilio D’Angio offered reflections on working alongside Wittenborg. David Baker offered reflections on training with Wittenborg. Wittenborg’s daughter, Karin, shared her memories of her father, in particular detailing his profound deafness as well as that of herself and her brother. N. Thorne Griscom offered further insights into the life of Wittenborg as well as editorial assistance with the manuscript.

On Oct. 10, 2013, the first Martin Herman Wittenborg memorial lecture was given in Boston, MA.

Conflict of interest

None

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gerald G. Behr.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Behr, G.G., Berdon, W.E. Martin ‘Dick’ Wittenborg 1914–1969: a legacy. Pediatr Radiol 44, 476–478 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-013-2860-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-013-2860-5

Keywords

Navigation