Leopold Ritter von Dittel

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Leopold Ritter von Dittel (May 29, 1815 - July 28, 1898) was an Austrian urologist who was born in Fulnek, which is now located in the Czech Republic. Dittel received his medical doctorate in 1840 from the University of Vienna, and was associated with the university for most of his career.

Dittel is known for establishing urology as an independent field of medicine at the University of Vienna. He developed several innovative diagnostic and surgical practices in regards to genitourinary medicine. He is remembered for his pioneer diagnostic work with the cystoscope, a device that had recently been invented by Maximilian Nitze (1848-1906). In urology, the cystoscope is used for endoscopic detection of bladder tumors and other urinary disorders. With Felix Legueu (1863-1940) the Dittel-Forgue-Legueu operation is named, which is a surgical procedure for closure of vesicovaginal fistulae (VVF).

A medical instrument known as a Dittel sound is named after him, which is used for treatment of stenosis of the urethra.

Written works:

Ueber Klumpfuss 1851
Skoliose 1853
Beiträge zur Pathologie und Therapie der Männlichen Geschlechtstheile 1859
Sekundäre Luxation des Hüftgelenkes 1861
Der Kathederismus 1864
Beitrag zur Lehre der Hypertrophie der Prostata, in Oesterreichischer Medizinischer Jahrbericht 1867
Der Steinsauger in "Allgemeine Wiener Medizinische Zeitung 1870
Die Stricturen der HarnrÖhre," in Pitha-Billroth's Handbuch der Chirurgie 1872
Zur Behandlung der Hypertrophie der Vorsteherdrüse in Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift 1876
Operationen der Blasensteine ib. 1880; Nierencalculose, ib. 1881