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Weitz and Luxenberg lawyers help patients with a hydrocephalus misdiagnosis
Delay in Hydrocephalus Diagnosis Results in Tragedy
Hydrocephalus that is left undiagnosed or untreated can lead to irreversible brain damage and even death. The 2009 death of British actress Natasha Richardson, shortly following a fall on a Canadian ski slope, shed light on the potential dangers of delayed or misdiagnosed hydrocephalus. Richardson appeared to be fine after the fall, but later complained of severe head pain brought on by blunt trauma to the head. Sadly, at the age of 45, she passed away two days after the accident.
What is Hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus is a condition involving excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain. The condition is caused when an accident, injury, or surgical trauma causes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a clear fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, to collect in the brain. When CSF levels become dangerous, it causes potentially deadly pressure on the brain.
The following is a list of Hydrocephalus symptoms in adults (The New York Times)
- Apathy
- Dementia
- Difficulty Paying Attention
- Impaired Memory
- Less Spontaneous Behavior
- Speech Impairment
- Withdrawn behavior
- Urinary or bowel incontinence (most likely to afflict older adults)
The following is a list of Hydrocephalus symptoms in infants and children (The New York Times and Google Health)
- Changes in gait (including inability to walk)
- Sudden fall without loss of consciousness or other symptoms (drop attacks)
- Unsteady Walking
- Irritability
- Seizures
- Sleepiness
- Eyes that appear to gaze downward
- Vomiting
Hydrocephalus caused by Medical Malpractice
Hydrocephalus is often treated with a shunt system. A “shunt system consists of a shunt (a silicone rubber tune), a catheter and a valve. One end of the catheter is placed in the central nervous system (CSF), while the other end is placed inside of the heart, a lung cavity or the abdominal area” (Med TV.)
This system can help the CSF drain properly, but like all medical procedures, there is a risk of complications. The shunt system procedure is supposed to be properly monitored by a medical professional, but the system may malfunction, or the patient could incur potentially serious infections. Such an error could be grounds for a medical malpractice case.
Weitz and Luxenberg Can Help those afflicted by a Hydrocephalus Misdiagnosis
The medical malpractice attorneys at Weitz and Luxenberg have dedicated themselves to fighting for the rights of people who have senselessly suffered at the hands of a negligent medical professional. For a free review of your potential lawsuit, please fill out the form on this page and a Weitz and Luxenberg attorney will contact you as soon as possible.
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