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Real case examples

Transverse-myelitis case allegedly misdiagnosed as conversion disorder at Kennestone

This complaint states as follows: The patient, a previously healthy 18-year-old, went to the emergency department at WellStar Kennestone Hospital with neurological symptoms including chest pain, numbness, and weakness. The consulting neurologist, Dr. James Armstrong, should have ordered an MRI with contrast of the patient’s entire spine, and should have considered the possibility of transverse myelitis. Dr. Armstrong did neither. Instead, he prematurely diagnosed the patient with conversion disorder, a psychiatric condition. This caused a delay in diagnosing and treating the transverse myelitis and caused the patient serious, permanent neurological injuries.

System
Kennestone Hospital
Facility
WellStar Kennestone Hospital
Providers involved
WellStar Kennestone Hospital / Dr. James Armstrong / Consulting neurologist
Pattern
Neurological emergency in a healthy 18-year-old followed by failure to order contrast MRI of the entire spine and premature conversion-disorder diagnosis
Harm
Serious, permanent neurological injuries

Overview

This page concerns an emergency neurological presentation at WellStar Kennestone Hospital in which the consulting neurologist allegedly failed to order contrast MRI of the entire spine and prematurely diagnosed conversion disorder instead of considering transverse myelitis.

Chronology

  1. The patient, a previously healthy 18-year-old, went to the emergency department at WellStar Kennestone Hospital with chest pain, numbness, and weakness.
  2. The consulting neurologist, Dr. James Armstrong, allegedly should have ordered an MRI with contrast of the patient’s entire spine and considered transverse myelitis.
  3. Dr. Armstrong allegedly did neither and instead prematurely diagnosed conversion disorder, a psychiatric condition.
  4. The delay in diagnosing and treating transverse myelitis allegedly caused the patient serious, permanent neurological injuries.

Alleged failures

  • Dr. James Armstrong allegedly failed to order an MRI with contrast of the patient’s entire spine.
  • Dr. Armstrong allegedly failed to consider transverse myelitis in the differential diagnosis.
  • The premature conversion-disorder diagnosis allegedly delayed treatment and caused permanent neurological injuries.

Entities and tags

WellStar Kennestone HospitalDr. James ArmstrongMRI with contrastEntire spineTransverse myelitisConversion disorderMisdiagnosisConversion disorder misdiagnosisMRI not orderedNeurologyEmergency medicineRadiology

Questions this example answers

What does the Kennestone transverse myelitis misdiagnosis allege?

This complaint states as follows: The patient, a previously healthy 18-year-old, went to the emergency department at WellStar Kennestone Hospital with neurological symptoms including chest pain, numbness, and weakness. The consulting neurologist, Dr. James Armstrong, should have ordered an MRI with contrast of the patient’s entire spine, and should have considered the possibility of transverse myelitis. Dr. Armstrong did neither. Instead, he prematurely diagnosed the patient with conversion disorder, a psychiatric condition. This caused a delay in diagnosing and treating the transverse myelitis and caused the patient serious, permanent neurological injuries.

Who is identified in this public case example?

This public case example identifies WellStar Kennestone Hospital, Dr. James Armstrong, and Consulting neurologist. It also tags the source-supported entities WellStar Kennestone Hospital, Dr. James Armstrong, MRI with contrast, Entire spine, and Transverse myelitis.

What alleged failures are summarized here?

Dr. James Armstrong allegedly failed to order an MRI with contrast of the patient’s entire spine. Dr. Armstrong allegedly failed to consider transverse myelitis in the differential diagnosis. The premature conversion-disorder diagnosis allegedly delayed treatment and caused permanent neurological injuries.