Aneurysm Misdiagnoses in Alpharetta
An aneurysm is a bulge or a ballooning in a blood vessel in the brain. Those with unruptured bulges, especially small ones, often experience no symptoms. Unfortunately, the excruciating headaches that indicate ruptured aneurysms can also be misdiagnosed as migraines or tension headaches.
Although rare, the consequences of this type of medical error can be catastrophic. If you or a loved one suffered due to a doctor’s mistake, contact an attorney who represents patients whose aneurysms have been misdiagnosed in Alpharetta. Our team of medical malpractice lawyers are here to listen to your case and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Symptoms of an Aneurysm
Because signs of an aneurysm often only manifest after a rupture, it can be difficult to prevent. However, larger bulges could press on brain tissues and certain nerves, causing any of the following symptoms:
- Pain above and behind one of their eyes,
- A dilated pupil,
- Changes in vision or double vision, or
- Numbness on one side of the face.
If the aneurysm ruptures, the most common symptom is a sudden, severe headache. In addition to extreme head pain, a ruptured blood vessel in the brain may also cause:
- Nausea and vomiting,
- Neck stiffness,
- Blurred or double vision,
- A drooping eyelid,
- Light sensitivity,
- Seizures, or
- Loss of consciousness or confusion.
If any of these symptoms present, seek immediate medical attention for testing and timely treatment.
Diagnosing Head Symptoms
To diagnose an aneurysm, a doctor will first examine the patient’s signs and symptoms, then determine if they have any family history of aneurysms or a disorder that could increase their risk. The physician will then take a physical exam to further investigate the symptoms.
Ultimately, the doctor will determine if there is an aneurysm through various tests, such as CT scans and MRIs of the brain. A cerebrospinal fluid test or cerebral angiogram can also be used to diagnose a bulging blood vessel. If there is an aneurysm, brain imaging can reveal if it is ruptured and if there is bleeding in the brain.
Misdiagnoses of Aneurysms in Alpharetta
Unfortunately, the severe symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm are sometimes mistaken for migraines or other forms of headaches. Patients are also occasionally misdiagnosed with viral syndromes that cause head or musculoskeletal pain. In certain cases, a patient may not receive any diagnosis at all.
Many types of medical errors could lead to an aneurysm misdiagnosis, including:
- Failure to recognize the signs and symptoms,
- Failure to perform the appropriate diagnostic tests,
- Failure or delay in communicating the test results to the physician, or
- Failure in reading the test results.
Any medical error in recognizing an aneurysm could form the grounds for a civil claim. Those who have suffered ruptured aneurysms that went misdiagnosed should explore their legal options with an experienced local attorney.
Who is at Fault for an Aneurysm Misdiagnosis?
Besides the main doctor or physician, there are multiple parties that could be at fault for an aneurysm misdiagnosis. For example, triage nurses who perform the patient’s initial intake could be held responsible if they fail to recognize the urgency of the issue or incorrectly record the signs and symptoms. Other potentially liable parties in an aneurysm misdiagnosis claim include the technicians who performed the diagnostic tests, the radiologists who read and interpreted the results, and specialists such as neurologists and neurosurgeons who are brought in for consultation.
Our dedicated legal team could investigate an Alpharetta aneurysm case to determine which parties were responsible for the misdiagnosis. We can also consult with our in-house doctor for medical insight on the specific circumstances.
Consult an Attorney for Aneurysm Misdiagnoses in Alpharetta
After a costly medical error, the most important thing is to get timely and proper medical care. Once an aneurysm patient is medically stable and receiving treatment, a dedicated attorney could help in pursuing legal action for the misdiagnosis.
If you or someone close to you was the victim of a traumatic medical error, consult with our seasoned legal team. Using our experience handling aneurysm misdiagnoses in Alpharetta, we can review your case for free and discuss the viability of your claim. Our lawyers are ready to work with you and put your recovery first.
