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Real case examples

Pooler Imaging Center complaint alleges renal-mass interpretation and communication failures

The complaint alleges that a patient had a right-kidney lesion identified on a 2020 lumbar-spine CT and that further follow-up was recommended. According to the complaint, a December 2020 renal ultrasound at Pooler Imaging Center was interpreted as showing no renal cyst, even though the complaint states the ultrasound showed abnormalities described as likely renal cell carcinoma. The complaint alleges that inadequate interpretation and communication delayed monitoring and treatment of an enlarging renal mass, leading to a risk of malignancy and metastasis and loss of the right kidney.

System
Atlantic Radiology Associates
Facility
Pooler Imaging Center
Providers involved
Atlantic Radiology Associates d/b/a Pooler Imaging Center / Richard Tyler Burgner, M.D. / Dr. Micheal Cohen / Dr. Khoa Tran / Dr. David Cheng / SouthCoast Health
Pattern
Alleged inadequate interpretation and communication of renal imaging findings before delayed monitoring and treatment
Harm
Alleged delayed renal-mass monitoring and treatment, risk of malignancy and metastasis, and loss of the right kidney

Overview

This page concerns a public complaint alleging that Pooler Imaging Center and radiology providers inadequately interpreted and communicated imaging findings related to a right-kidney mass.

Chronology

  1. The complaint alleges that a November 12, 2020 CT of the lumbar spine at Effingham Hospital identified an incidental right-kidney lesion and recommended further evaluation.
  2. The complaint alleges that on December 16, 2020, a renal ultrasound was performed at Pooler Imaging Center and interpreted as showing no renal cyst.
  3. The complaint states that the December 2020 ultrasound showed abnormalities described as likely renal cell carcinoma and that follow-up was communicated as normal.
  4. The complaint alleges that on October 9, 2025, the patient presented to a primary-care provider with right lower-back pain radiating to the right hip and testicles and a contrast-enhanced CT was ordered.
  5. The complaint alleges that an October 22, 2025 abdomen and pelvis CT at SouthCoast Health was interpreted as showing a right-kidney mass considered renal cell carcinoma until proven otherwise.
  6. The complaint alleges that on November 3, 2025, a urologist diagnosed malignant neoplasm of the kidney and scheduled a total right nephrectomy for December 20, 2025.

Alleged failures

  • The complaint alleges that the radiologist failed to provide adequate interpretation of imaging identifying a renal mass.
  • The complaint alleges that the radiologist failed to communicate findings of a mass to the patient or primary-care provider.
  • The complaint alleges that the alleged breaches delayed timely monitoring and treatment of an enlarging renal mass.
  • The complaint alleges that delayed monitoring and treatment resulted in a risk of malignancy and metastasis and loss of the right kidney.
  • The complaint alleges that Atlantic Radiology Associates d/b/a Pooler Imaging Center breached the standard of care through similar interpretation and communication failures.

Entities and tags

Pooler Imaging CenterAtlantic Radiology AssociatesRichard Tyler Burgner, M.D.SouthCoast HealthRenal massRight kidneyRenal ultrasoundCT scanRenal cell carcinomaMalignant neoplasm of kidneyNephrectomyFailure to communicate imaging findingsInadequate imaging interpretationDelayed monitoring and treatmentRenal-mass follow-upFailure to diagnose cancerRadiologyDiagnostic imagingUrologyPrimary care

Questions this example answers

What does the Pooler Imaging renal-mass follow-up allege?

The complaint alleges that a patient had a right-kidney lesion identified on a 2020 lumbar-spine CT and that further follow-up was recommended. According to the complaint, a December 2020 renal ultrasound at Pooler Imaging Center was interpreted as showing no renal cyst, even though the complaint states the ultrasound showed abnormalities described as likely renal cell carcinoma. The complaint alleges that inadequate interpretation and communication delayed monitoring and treatment of an enlarging renal mass, leading to a risk of malignancy and metastasis and loss of the right kidney.

Who is identified in this public case example?

This public case example identifies Atlantic Radiology Associates d/b/a Pooler Imaging Center, Richard Tyler Burgner, M.D., Dr. Micheal Cohen, Dr. Khoa Tran, Dr. David Cheng, and SouthCoast Health. It also tags the source-supported entities Pooler Imaging Center, Atlantic Radiology Associates, Richard Tyler Burgner, M.D., SouthCoast Health, and Renal mass.

What alleged failures are summarized here?

The complaint alleges that the radiologist failed to provide adequate interpretation of imaging identifying a renal mass. The complaint alleges that the radiologist failed to communicate findings of a mass to the patient or primary-care provider. The complaint alleges that the alleged breaches delayed timely monitoring and treatment of an enlarging renal mass.