Compensation for Misdiagnosis of a Paraspinal Abscess
A paraspinal abscess is a medical emergency. It requires a very prompt diagnosis by medical professionals in order to avert possible disaster.
Possible effects of a spinal abscess
If the symptoms of a paraspinal abscess are not recognised and diagnosis and treatment are delayed, the patient risks developing sepsis which can be life-threatening.
They are also at risk of the abscess starting to cause compression of the nerves located around the spine and subsequent loss of nerve function. This can cause a range of neurologic dysfunction including the following:
- Bowel dysfunction
- Bladder dysfunction
- On-going pain
- Muscle weakness
Once the nerves have become compressed, urgent treatment is vital. The longer diagnosis is delayed and the more the nerves become compressed, the less likely the patient is to recover function which they have already lost.
If the condition is recognised promptly, however, it may be possible to treat it with antibiotics, reducing the likelihood of further problems developing and avoiding the need for invasive surgery.
Diagnosing a spinal abscess
A paraspinal abscess is an infection in the region of the spine, prompting inflammation and the accumulation of pus around the spine. It is likely to cause intense back pain and possible chest pain accompanied by symptoms of infection such as a high temperature. This combination should alert medical professionals to the possibility of an abscess but can also be misdiagnosed as a number of other conditions such as:
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Pleurisy
- Pneumonia
A misdiagnosis will inevitably cause a delay in establishing the real cause of the patient's symptoms and potentially damage the chances of a good long-term outcome.
Compensation for delayed diagnosis and treatment
If the patient is fortunate, a delay in diagnosis will not affect the long-term impact of their condition.
However, it is also possible that, during the period of delay, their symptoms will deteriorate and their nerve function and health become compromised as a result.
Where a spinal abscess damages the functioning of the nerves, the patient may find that their ability to work, travel, socialise and live independently can be compromised by their loss of symptoms.
If the patient develops sepsis as a result of a failure to diagnose and treat their spinal abscess, their long-term physical and psychological health can be severely damaged.
In such circumstances it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Speak to a solicitor
If you or a loved one are suffering on-going symptoms due to a failure to diagnose and treat a paraspinal abscess in a timely manner, contact us to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor about making a claim for compensation.
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