Spinal Abscess Medical Negligence
A delay in diagnosis and treatment of a spinal abscess can prove fatal if the patient develops sepsis. Patients who survive may be left with chronic pain and severe disability due to neurological dysfunction.
What is a spinal abscess?
A spinal abscess is a collection of pus in the spinal region, causing inflammation and possible on-going effects. It represents an infection of the spine and is usually caused by the spread of bacteria from another location. The consequent inflammation can cause compression of the spinal cord and nerve dysfunction.
A spinal abscess can also prompt a septic response by the body's immune system, threatening the life of the patient.
A spinal abscess can affect the spine at any point from the upper (cervical) spine in the neck down to the lumbar spine at the base of the back. The impact that a spinal abscess will have can vary according to its location.
Urgency
A spinal abscess is fairly rare and diagnosis may be difficult as a result. An abscess in the spine may initially be thought to be a slipped disc due to the presenting symptom of pain.
Nonetheless, an urgent diagnosis is desirable in order to give the patient the best possible outcome.
Who is at risk of developing a spinal abscess?
Anyone can suffer from a spinal abscess, but certain categories of people are probably more susceptible. These could include the following:
- Patients who already suffer with diabetes
- Patients who drink excessively or use drugs
- Patients with kidney problems
- Patients suffering from cancer
- Patients who have recently suffered a trauma to the spine
- Patients who have had a catheter inserted
Patients with a spinal abscess are also more likely to be elderly, with the condition rarely being seen in children.
Diagnosis
Where possible symptoms of a spinal abscess are exhibited by a patient, a referral for further investigation, probably with an MRI scan, is desirable and a failure to action this procedure might be considered to have been a failing in medical care.
Symptoms indicative of a possible spinal abscess include the following:
- Pain in the region of the spine
- A high temperature
- Signs of neurological dysfunction, such as weakness in the legs or arms, or reduced joint movement
A patient presenting to their GP or A&E department warrants a prompt response. Especially where the patient is already exhibiting signs of nerve dysfunction, time is of the essence and a delay in treatment can be catastrophic.
(Nerve dysfunction refers to a loss of sensation or movement due to the failure of a nerve to carry out its work effectively. This is most likely to occur if the nerve has become compressed or squashed for some reason and can no longer pass messages from the central nervous system to the sensory receptors and muscles throughout the body.)
Treatment for a spinal abscess
Once diagnosis is confirmed, treatment for a spinal abscess can be a matter of emergency.
Treatment may consist of the following:
- Intravenous antibiotics
- Surgical drainage of the pus and decompression of the spine
- Drainage of the abscess
A delay in treatment has been associated with a poorer patient outcome and is to be avoided at all costs.
Medical negligence
As with many conditions, early diagnosis and treatment are key to a good long-term outcome for the patient.
With patients who are already beginning to experience neurological symptoms, a delay in surgery may be highly significant, reducing the likelihood that they will recover lost function.
Where treatment is delayed due to a misdiagnosis, such as confusing the symptoms with those of a slipped disc, the relevant medical professional may be considered have provided a substandard level of care.
Speak to a solicitor
Contact us now if you or a loved one are suffering with the long-term impact of a delay in diagnosing a spinal abscess.
Glynns Solicitors is a specialist medical negligence legal practice and one of our experienced solicitors will be happy to advise you regarding a possible claim for compensation.
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