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CT scans vs. MRI scans: Can you sue a radiologist for diagnosis error?

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Lezdotechmed
CT scans vs. MRI scans: Can you sue a radiologist for diagnosis error?

Inventions in the field of radiology are a boon in the diagnosis of diseases. Despite the fact that X-rays, CT scans, and MRI studies aid in precise diagnosis, the radiology field is not error-free with all of the advances. When you consider the advantages and disadvantages of using CT scans vs. MRI scans, you can see how a radiologist's error can turn one's life upside down.

Comparison of CT scans and MRI scans

In a CT scan, the patient is placed inside a round-shaped machine to obtain fine images of muscles, bones, and blood vessels. MRI scans, on the other hand, place the patient in a more enclosed structure than CT scans in order to obtain clearer images of the nerves and internal organs. Some patients may feel claustrophobic because it is a closed structure. The CT scan employs multiple cross-sectional x-rays to produce more comprehensive 3D images in a shorter amount of time. To project the defects, the MRI scan uses a magnetic field to identify the movement of the protons. It takes longer than the CT scan. To identify the soft tissue injuries, musculoskeletal disorders, disc herniations and annular tears, CT scans and MRI scans will be useful.

Diagnosis errors

Missing a critical diagnosis is a serious misdiagnosis error that can have a negative impact on a patient's life. Even if more advanced technologies are developed, radiology errors cannot be completely eliminated. The Renfrew and Brook classifications have a long list of radiology errors that can occur while diagnosing. Some of the most common errors in the radiology field are missing a deficit, relating the deficit to something else, failing to communicate the deficit to the physician, failing to note the additional deficits, reasoning error due to lack of knowledge, technical errors, interpreting errors, and patients not obeying the scan procedures leading to errors. Since imaging reports are also part of medical documentation, the radiologist error can impact the treatment plan and worsen the health of the patient.

How to bell the cat?

Perceptual errors occur when radiologists are fatigued as a result of overwork and exhaustion. Adequate rest allows for greater concentration during the diagnosis. The use of Artificial Intelligence aids in the completion of large numbers of images with high-quality results. Errors can also be eliminated by performing a double quality check or getting a second reading from another radiologist.

Inadequate knowledge, failure to link the appropriate causes to the deficits, a biased approach to the study, and failure to note additional deficits than the expected one can all result in interpretive errors. Being objective while reading the imaging studies, as well as using checklists to find common findings, can help to avoid potential and unavoidable findings. Knowing the patient's past medical history, as well as prior abnormalities in previous imaging studies, can assist the radiologist in identifying important deficits and communicating with the appropriate physician. These communication errors can be caused by illegible handwritten notes in the medical records and a faulty communication medium.

Conclusion

Radiology error is a serious medical error, which can end up in medical malpractice lawsuits. Delayed diagnosis or missed diagnosis can result in the disfigurements or death of the patient. In such instances, you can sue the radiologist who made the error. With the help of expert witnesses, you can prove the degree of negligence on the part of the radiologist and get compensation.

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