Daniel E. Holloway
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Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta complaint alleges delayed spinal-tumor imaging before permanent nerve damage

The complaint alleges that a patient, then 14, was evaluated at two hospitals for leg pain in October 2020. She was transferred to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and diagnosed with restless leg syndrome and iron deficiency. A CHOA neurologist began treating her in March 2021. For nearly two years he adjusted her medications without ordering spine imaging, despite worsening pain and new stiffness. In March 2023, when he first noted a developing hump in her back, he ordered a lumbar MRI but did not mark it urgent. The April 2023 MRI showed a large tumor compressing her spinal cord, and she had surgery days later. The complaint alleges the delay caused permanent nerve damage and a hunched back.

System
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Facility
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Providers involved
Sumit Verma, M.D. / Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Inc. / Children’s Physician Group Specialty Providers, LLC / Children’s Physician Group Inc.
Pattern
Alleged failure to order timely spine imaging for worsening leg and back pain in a pediatric neurology patient
Harm
Alleged delayed diagnosis of a spinal tumor causing permanent nerve damage and spinal deformity

Overview

This page concerns a public complaint alleging that a pediatric neurologist did not order timely spine imaging, delaying diagnosis of a spinal tumor.

Chronology

The complaint alleges as follows:

  1. In October 2020, then 14, the patient was evaluated for leg pain at two non-defendant hospitals and transferred to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.
  2. At CHOA she was diagnosed with restless leg syndrome and iron deficiency anemia and discharged on gabapentin, with a neurology referral.
  3. Sumit Verma, M.D., a CHOA neurologist, began treating her in March 2021 for right leg pain and gait difficulty.
  4. For nearly two years he adjusted her medications and ordered other tests. He did not order spine imaging, despite worsening pain and new back stiffness.
  5. On March 14, 2023, Dr. Verma noted a newly developing hump in her back. He ordered a lumbar MRI to rule out nerve compression, but did not mark it urgent.
  6. The MRI, performed April 24, 2023, showed a large mass compressing her spinal cord and nerve roots, and she was admitted to CHOA that night.
  7. She underwent spinal surgery on April 27, 2023 to remove the mass, later identified as a schwannoma, and was discharged May 1, 2023.

Alleged failures

The complaint alleges the following failures:

  • Dr. Verma did not order spine imaging despite worsening pain, gait difficulty, and new back stiffness reported through February 2023.
  • When he did order an MRI in March 2023, Dr. Verma did not mark it urgent. The scan was not performed for over a month.
  • The complaint alleges Dr. Verma’s care fell below the standard of care for a pediatric neurologist.
  • The corporate defendants did not adequately hire, train, or supervise Dr. Verma or set policies to ensure care met the required standard.
  • The complaint alleges the delay let a treatable tumor grow large enough to compress her spinal cord and cause permanent nerve damage.
  • The complaint pleads professional negligence and direct and vicarious liability against the corporate defendants, and attaches an expert affidavit under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-9.1.

Entities and tags

Children’s Healthcare of AtlantaChildren’s Physician Group Specialty Providers, LLCChildren’s Physician Group Inc.Sumit Verma, M.D.SchwannomaSpinal cord compressionFulton CountyDelayed or missed diagnosisBrain or spine injuryPediatric neurologyNeurosurgeryDiagnostic imaging