Failure to Diagnose Brain Aneurysm can have Fatal or Permanently Disabling Consequences

Brain Aneurysm

An aneurysm is simply a bulge in an artery or blood vessel, usually caused by artery disease or high blood pressure. They also commonly occur in the elderly, upon undergoing severe trauma in auto accidents or other such situations. When arteries or blood vessels bulge abnormally, they may dissect and cause severe pain, or burst or rupture, leading to sudden death. The most common type of aneurysm is one that occurs in the brain, called brain aneurysm or cerebral aneurysm.

Brain aneurysms result from continuous weakening and the consequential rupture of the walls lining a cerebral artery. The brain hemorrhage that ensues is most often disabling or fatal. Aneurysms may sometimes never come with symptoms or signs of warning.

Hence, not every case of failure to diagnose a brain aneurysm counts as a medical malpractice. However, various cases are recorded every year in New York, where emergency room staff and medical experts may inadvertently harm a patient's health by ignoring symptoms or risk factors that add up to brain aneurysm.

Symptoms of a Brain Aneurysm

Some common signs and symptoms of brain aneurysm include:

· Acute headache

· Pain in the eye

· Vision problem

· Nausea, vomiting

· Numbness

· Stiffness or pain in the neck

· Fatigue

· Coordination problems

· Cognitive difficulties and memory lapses

Diagnosing Brain Aneurysm

Sometimes, the symptoms of brain aneurysm may seem similar to that of a different, less critical condition. To arrive at a thorough and accurate diagnosis, a CT scan must be done. If the scan demonstrates any signs of a subarachnoid hemorrhage, it is most likely an aneurysm. In case the scan is negative but there is a suspected cerebral artery rupture, a lumbar puncture must be performed to detect the presence of blood mixed with the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the spinal cord and brain.

Misdiagnosis or Failure to Diagnose Brain Aneurysm

Brain aneurysm can go undetected for any of the following reasons that can constitute medical malpractice:

· Misreading the CT scan reports

· Improperly executed lumbar puncture

· Ignoring the symptoms of brain aneurysm

· Mistaking brain aneurysm to be another less complicated condition, due to common symptoms

· Wrong diagnostic methods undertaken

· Delay in diagnosis due to medical negligence

· Failure to take note of previous history of aneurysms or hemorrhages

Risk Factors of Brain Aneurysm

A cerebral aneurysm or brain aneurysm can be associated with any of the following risk factors:

· Known history of hypertensive vascular disease

· Atherosclerosis

· Head trauma

· Congenital defects

Legal Recourse

The New York City medical malpractice attorneys have a proven track record of successful lawsuits won against hospitals and medical clinics by failure to diagnose brain aneurysm. Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff (RMFW) have law offices situated in Astoria, Queens, New York City and two offices in Brooklyn.

Our number is 212-344-1000. We at RMFW know this arena quite well. We have won millions of dollars for our clients and are in the process of winning more since we have medical experts on our side who support us if the case is viable. Give us a call let us study your case and see if we can carry this legal torch for you.

We are not paid until you are paid!