Missed Appendicitis Symptoms and Medical Liability

When a physician neglects to diagnose appendicitis symptoms, the patient may suffer a ruptured appendix. The appendix is a small pouch-like organ attached to the large intestine. When an appendix bursts, it releases toxin into the bloodstream which can lead to dangerous conditions, including death.

Symptoms

A major symptom of appendicitis is moderate to extreme abdominal pain. The pain can mask as indigestion or a need to pass gas or have a bowel movement. Most patients first feel a pain near the belly button, but eventually the pain moves to the lower right side of the abdomen. Although this is the general pain motion, the pain can also arise in other parts of the belly or on the side. As time progresses, the pain often worsens with movement, when the patient walks or even coughs. There may be a fever and nausea, as well.

Because these symptoms readily mask as indigestion, the sufferer may delay consulting a doctor. However, if these symptoms persist more than four hours, it is important to call a doctor immediately.

Other symptoms of appendicitis may also include vomiting, constipation, back pain, or a swollen abdomen. At this point, the appendix may have become inflamed.

Diagnosis

As soon as a physician or other healthcare worker is presented with a patient exhibiting the above symptoms, the immediate decision is to take the patient into surgery to prevent any rupture. If the appendix ruptures, the toxic bacteria releases into the blood, creating a deadly condition called peritonitis. Additionally, if the bacteria enter the bloodstream, the patient may develop a fatal condition known as septicemia.

If the symptoms are not extreme, the physician may not operate immediately. Instead, the doctor may request certain tests such as a white blood cell count, a urinalysis, ultrasound or an abdominal x-ray. Any of these tests may point to indications of appendicitis. For example, a white blood cell count might show a mild elevation. A urinalysis might indicate bacteria in the urine. A well-trained healthcare worker should be able to determine through one or a combination of these tests whether the patient has appendicitis.

However, if a doctor is negligent and misses the symptoms, complications may ensue.

Misdiagnosis

The most common types of appendicitis misdiagnosis occur in the following situations:

• the doctor fails to perform a proper examination, such as applying pressure on the abdomen to determine the level of pain;
• after the examination, the doctor fails to follow up;
• the doctor misreads the symptoms as something else, ruling out appendicitis; or
• the doctor fails to diagnose the immediacy of the condition or does not order surgery in the case where the appendicitis has reached the acute stage.

Talk with an Attorney

If your appendicitis symptoms were misdiagnosed and you are now suffering with life-altering consequences, you may recover damages for your injuries arising from the healthcare worker's or physician's negligence. Talk with an attorney as soon as possible to determine whether to file a cause of action.