Early diagnosis is often critical for treating potentially life-altering illnesses and injuries effectively. If your doctors suspect you may have broken bones, organ damage, tumors, or other internal injuries, they may ask you to undergo an x-ray, CT scan, MRI or another radiology procedure.
Radiologists are specialized doctors who use medical imaging to diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries. While you can probably trust a radiologist to do a professional and competent job, a mistake may harm you. Here are three radiology errors that may put your life in jeopardy.
Failing to Capture Images Correctly
Radiologists receive extensive training on photographing the insides of human bodies. If radiologists do not set up equipment properly, use the correct angles, and choose an effective imaging medium, they may believe you are healthy when you are critically ill.
Misreading Images or Reports
Even if radiologists use the right technology to capture a good image, they may misread images or reports. Misinterpreting x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or ultrasounds may result in delayed diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, if radiologists fail to interpret cardiac scans correctly, you may be at risk for a heart attack or another life-threatening episode.
Making the Wrong Diagnosis
While missed diagnoses are certainly problematic, the wrong diagnosis may expose you to additional harm. If a radiologist believes you have an injury or illness you do not have, you may suffer the side effects of unnecessary medical procedures, medications, and other treatments. Even worse, you are not likely to receive the treatment plan you need to recover quickly.
If you do not feel well, you may have little choice but to rely on the knowledge and skill of a radiologist. If you are worried a radiologist made a mistake that harmed you, we will investigate whether there is a way to hold that radiologist accountable.