The news that cello scrotum is a myth has captured the attention of the press this week and it has been widely cited both in the UK and internationally. The revelation comes as last week Elaine and John Murphy wrote a letter to the BMJ confessing that they invented the condition. They were inspired to make up cello scrotum after reading a letter in the BMJ in 1974 about guitar nipple but decided to own up to the hoax after it was cited in a Christmas BMJ article.

BMJ in the news:

• Exposed: the myth of cello scrotum – Independent, UK
• Peer reveals ‘cello scrotum’ hoax – BBC News
• Cello scrotum? It’s a load of . . . nonsense, admits Baroness Murphy – The Times, UK
• ‘Cello scrotum’: the truth at last – TVNZ – New Zealand
• ‘Cello scrotum’ exposed as a hoax – CNN
• Exposed: The medical myth of ‘cello scrotum’ – Daily Mail, UK
• Cello disease a hoax, British doctor confesses – Los Angeles Times
• Confusion on acupuncture benefit – BBC News
• Acupuncture ‘has almost no effect in relieving pain’ – Daily Telegraph, UK
• Illegal tanning drug can change appearance of moles, scientists warn – Daily Telegraph, UK

BMJ in blogs:

• Life and Style | The Independent UK – Exposed: the myth of cello …
• Health 101 » Study: Family Caretakers Abuse Dementia Patients
• Cello scrotum hoax revealed : Macleans OnCampus
• Cello Scrotum is a hoax – JammieWearingFool
• Pain-Relieving Powers of Acupuncture Unclear – Health News …
• Docs Fess Up: We Invented Condition – Health News | Euro News 24
• Lawmaker Admits Making Up ‘Cello Scrotum’ – Health News Story …
• In Gaudio Pulchritudo: Cello Scrotum Or Why I Enjoy Those Who Make …
• ‘Cello Scrotum’ Exposed as Hoax
• BMJ gets punked! « Virginia Hughes
• Cello scrotum, published in the BMJ, now revealed to be a hoax …
• Dr. Joan Bushwell’s Chimpanzee Refuge : “Cello scrotum” a 35-year …
• Doctor admits to dreaming up medical condition – Healthy Living

Most commented:

• Murphy’s lore (cello scrotum)
• Corticosteroid injection for rotator cuff disease
• Surgical safety checklists
• Minerva
• Does single application of topical chloramphenicol to high risk sutured wounds reduce incidence of wound infection after minor surgery?

Most read:

• A symphony of maladies
• Acupuncture treatment for pain: systematic review of RCT’s with acupuncture, placebo acupuncture, and no acupuncture groups
• RCT of Alexander technique lessons, exercise, and massage for chronic and recurrent back pain
• Abuse of people with dementia by family carers
• Assessment and management of non-visible haematuria in primary care

Juliet Walker is the editorial intern, BMJ