The Archives of Internal Medicine reports that a simple blood test can accurately rule in or rule out heart attacks in three-quarters of patients with acute chest pain. The test looks for a byproduct of heart attacks, called troponin, that appears in the patient's blood. This test is a promising new addition to the various studies [...]
I find news stories like this very disconcerting. Researchers at Harvard Medical School report that tanning bed use increases the risk of malignant melanoma. The increased risk is particularly prevalent among younger sunbed users. To me, this means that there will be an increase in claims arising out of a delay in diagnosis of this dangerous skin cancer. Here's [...]
IVC (inferior vena cava) filters can be implanted to protect patients against pulmonary embolism. Complications from the procedure are rare. However, we have learned of instances where the filters are placed in patients who do not need them or where they are left in patients far longer than they are needed. Under Ohio law, a medical negligence claim can arise out of [...]
A delay in diagnosis of cancer may cause a patient's prognosis to go from bad to worse. When it comes to lung cancer, this maxim holds true. Recognizing that earlier detection of lung cancer saves lives, the American Association for Thoracic Surgery published updated guidelines for screening high risk patients in order to catch evidence of [...]
Atrial fibrillation (or, "A Fib") is a common disorder of the heart. The incidence of A Fib increases with age. As the population ages, one projection estimates that almost 6 million people will have A Fib by 2050. One of the predominant risks of A Fib is stroke. The errant, inefficient beating of the heart associated with A Fib [...]
The use of clot busters (also called "thrombolytics") -- medications used to break up clots that block the flow of blood to the brain -- are even more effective in treating stroke in younger patients than elderly ones, according to a new report. The medication is designed to dissolve clots that occur with thromboembolic stroke and thereby [...]
Claims for delay in diagnosis of cancer are common in Ohio. Medical malpractice cases involving a delayed diagnosis, or a delay in treatment, of malignant melanoma require consideration of a number of factors. A recent medical study underscores the importance of proper surgical treatment upon timely diagnosis of this potentially deadly cancer. Malignant melanoma is a [...]
While prolactinomas are relatively rare, misdiagnosis of the condition is not. There will be several hundred new cases of large prolactinomas (also called "giant prolactinoma" or "macroprolactinoma") diagnosed this year in the United States. Large prolactinomas may first present with symptoms of pressure within the head, such as headache or visual disturbances. Because a prolactinoma is [...]
At Mishkind Kulwicki Law, we frequently review, investigate and handle cases involving a failure to diagnose, prevent and/or treat pulmonary embolism. Blood clots can form in a variety of areas of the body and frequently occur after a surgical procedure or when a patient is on bed rest and not walking for an extended period [...]
In an earlier Mishkind Kulwicki Law blog post, I spoke about new guidelines for the prevention of pulmonary embolism published by the American College of Physicians (ACP). Here are new, more detailed guidelines published by the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP). The ACCP includes those physicians, pulmonologists and critical care specialists, who specializes in caring [...]