STROKE MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE MISDIAGNOSIS OF STROKE

STROKE MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE MISDIAGNOSIS OF STROKE

John Whelan Solicitor with specialist expertise in Stroke Medical Negligence gives an example of a case where there was a delayed diagnosis of stroke.      

An example of a misdiagnosis of stroke that led to a delayed or improper treatment:

Case Example: Misdiagnosis of Stroke as Migraine

A Patient with a history of migraines, suddenly develops a severe headache, along with blurred vision and difficulty speaking.    The Patient also experiences mild weakness on the left side of the body. These symptoms come on rapidly while the Patient is at home.

Emergency Department Visit:

  1. The Patient arrives at the ED approximately 90 minutes after symptom onset, complaining of a "worst ever" headache, visual disturbances, and slurred speech.
  2. Vital signs: Normal except for slightly elevated blood pressure.
  3. Medical history: The patient reports a history of migraines, particularly with visual aura and sometimes mild difficulty speaking during episodes. However, the Patient mentions that this headache feels different more intense and accompanied by left sided weakness, which the Patient has never experienced before.

Initial Assessment:

  1. The attending physician performs a quick neurological exam but attributes the symptoms to migraine with aura based on the Patient’s history. The left sided weakness is considered to be a part of a complex migraine.
  2. A CT scan is not immediately ordered, as the physician feels confident in the migraine diagnosis. The patient is given pain medication and anti nausea treatment.
  3. The Patient’s symptoms seem to improve slightly after treatment for the headache, further reinforcing the migraine diagnosis.

Misdiagnosis:

The treating physician misdiagnoses the stroke as a migraine. The Patient is discharged after a few hours with instructions to follow up with the GP if the symptoms persist.

Symptom Progression:

The next morning, the Patient wakes up with complete paralysis on her left side, inability to speak properly and severe confusion.    The Patient’s family rushes her back to the hospital.

Correct Diagnosis:

A CT scan and subsequent MRI reveal that the Patient suffered an ischemic stroke in the right hemisphere of her brain, which controls the left side of her body and language functions. Due to the delay in diagnosis, the Patient did not receive timely thrombolytic therapy (tPA), which could have reduced the severity of the stroke.

 

 

Outcome:

The Patient is left with long-term deficits, including significant left sided weakness and speech difficulties.   Rehabilitation is extensive and slow, with only partial recovery.

 

Important Points of the Case:

  1. Stroke Misdiagnosed as Migraine.
  2. No Imaging Ordered Initially.
  3. Treatment Delay.

For more detailed insights into how Stroke Medical Negligence and Patient Safety impacts you and how Whelan Law can support you, please visit our Patient Safety Rights Legal Advice https://www.whelanlaw.ie/news/stroke-medical-negligence-claims-what-you-need-to-know/