When a Doctor Fails to Diagnose a Spinal Cord Abscess
A spinal cord abscess—also called an epidural abscess—is a rare yet potentially deadly infection in the skull or spinal cord. This infection can be easily missed or misdiagnosed by some doctors, which can lead to long-lasting or catastrophic effects on the patient. If this has happened to you or a loved one, read on to find out more about this condition and learn about your legal options.
What is an epidural abscess?
An epidural abscess occurs when the space between the spine and the spinal cord lining, or the skull and the brain lining, becomes infected. A pocket of pus forms in the affected area, causing swelling, which places pressure on the spinal cord or brain and causes numerous health issues.
Because spinal cord abscesses are rare, doctors often don’t test for it, and misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose can lead to tragic results, including paralysis or death. An abscess is commonly mistaken for generic back pain and treated as such. Sometimes patients with a spinal cord abscess may make multiple trips to their doctor or emergency room before getting the right diagnosis—but for some, it can be too late.
Diagnosing a spinal cord abscess
Medical professionals may diagnose a spinal cord abscess any number of ways. They may use the following tools:
- MRI
- CT scan
- Fluid sample from abscessed area
Epidural abscesses are actually extremely treatable when caught early. Patients are typically treated with antibiotics and surgery for the abscess. However, if diagnosis is missed or caught too late, the patient can suffer severe personal injury, and the patient may have a case for medical malpractice.
Failure to diagnose an epidural or spinal abscess
There are many, dangerous complications that can come with an undiagnosed spinal abscess:
- Meningitis
- Spinal or bone infection
- Brain abscess
- Chronic back pain
- Irreversible brain and nervous system damage
- Paralysis
In the most tragic circumstances, the infection can prove fatal.
Compensation from failure to diagnose
Aside from the physical and health issues that can come from a misdiagnosed spinal cord abscess, patients must also deal with the financial burdens of such an injury. These can include medical expenses, physical therapy, long-term care, lost wages, and more. Additionally, when a loved one is severely injured or dies due to an undiagnosed infection, courts may consider wrongful death, loss of companionship, or pain and suffering.
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries or complications from misdiagnosis of a spinal cord abscess, we can help. The experienced Mississippi medical malpractice lawyers at Merkel & Cocke understand the devastating complications that can occur when a doctor fails to do their job. Talk to us today about how we can assist you with your case. Our attorneys have offices in Jackson, Oxford and Clarksdale, and serve clients throughout the Gulf Coast. You are welcome to call us today at 662-627-9641 or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation.
Since 1982, Merkel & Cocke, P.A. has offered thorough, aggressive legal representation on behalf of clients throughout Mississippi. As one of the largest plaintiffs’ personal injury law firms in the state, we consider it our duty and our honor to serve the people of our communities, and to uphold their rights in court. Our reputation is such that other law firms turn to us when they need legal counsel, and our business has grown through the years because of the referrals of these attorneys, who trust us with their needs and the needs of their clients. We are the firm you can trust when there are challenges ahead. To schedule a free consultation, please complete our contact form.