Compensation for Delayed Diagnosis of Spinal Epidural Abscess
If you or a loved one have been left with the long-term disabling impact of a spinal epidural abscess due to delayed diagnosis, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
The impact of a spinal epidural abscess
A spinal epidural abscess may be tricky to diagnose but the potential costs of delay can be utterly catastrophic for the patient.
As bacterial infection causes the build-up of pus, inflammation can put pressure on the spinal cord and affect the ability of the nervous system to work effectively.
If treatment is delayed, the affected nerves may find it difficult to recover and the patient may suffer permanent dysfunction.
Depending on the area of the spine and nerves affected, this can result in a wide variety of possible symptoms, including the following:
- weakness in muscles
- bowel or bladder incontinence
- loss of mobility
- complete paralysis
Furthermore, a spinal epidural abscess sometimes causes the body's immune system to respond disproportionally to the infection, triggering sepsis. This is a life-threatening situation where the body's organs may fail, causing the patient to die.
Diagnosis of a spinal epidural abscess
The need for prompt and accurate diagnosis followed by timely and comprehensive treatment is clear.
A delay has the potential to cause a significant deterioration in the patient's outcome, and may result in their death. An early diagnosis, however, can bring about a good recovery.
Investigation of the possible symptoms of a spinal epidural abscess is likely to include either a CT scan or an MRI scan, followed, where appropriate, with antibiotics and surgery to remove the infection.
Patients who may be developing a spinal epidural abscess are likely to be suffering from a high temperature and experiencing pain in the region of the spine as well as possible early symptoms of muscle weakness or other signs of nerve dysfunction.
Medical negligence
A failure to recognise or respond to the possible symptoms of a spinal epidural abscess can cause catastrophic outcomes and may be regarded as substandard care.
Speak to a solicitor
Contact Glynns Solicitors today if the above experience has left you or a loved one struggling with disability.
We are a team of specialist medical negligence solicitors and will be very happy to advise you.
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