Quantum Radiology complaint alleges its radiologist did not report a pelvic mass on an emergency CT at Wellstar Kennestone Medical Center before a delayed cancer diagnosis and death
The complaint alleges that Dr. Abdulrahman O. Nasiru, a diagnostic radiologist employed by Quantum Radiology, P.C., interpreted a September 9, 2023 CT scan of a patient’s abdomen and pelvis from the Wellstar Kennestone Medical Center emergency department as showing no acute abnormalities, when a 6–7 cm pelvic mass was allegedly visible on the images. The patient returned to the emergency department on January 18, 2024, a new CT showed a lobulated pelvic mass measuring up to 9.3 cm described as highly suspicious for an aggressive neoplastic process with signs of metastasis, and two physicians who later reviewed the earlier images confirmed the mass had been visible on them.
Overview
This page concerns a public complaint alleging that a Quantum Radiology, P.C. radiologist failed to report a pelvic mass visible on an emergency-department CT scan at Wellstar Kennestone Medical Center, delaying the patient’s cancer diagnosis until the disease was terminal.
Chronology
The complaint alleges as follows:
- On September 9, 2023 the patient presented to the Wellstar Kennestone Medical Center emergency department with severe left-sided flank pain, nausea, and vomiting, and Dr. Sahil Vinodbhai Patel, an emergency medicine resident, ordered a CT scan with contrast of the abdomen and pelvis.
- Dr. Nasiru interpreted the CT that day as showing “no acute abnormalities” and a “moderate to large colonic stool burden,” and the patient was treated for constipation with a bowel regimen.
- The patient returned to the Wellstar Kennestone emergency department on January 18, 2024 with worsening abdominal pain, and a new CT showed a large pelvic mass measuring up to 9.3 cm with signs of metastasis.
- Dr. Eduardo Estrella and Dr. Hamza Jawad reviewed the September 9, 2023 images and confirmed that a 6–7 cm adnexal mass was clearly visible on that scan.
- The patient underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and other treatment after the January 2024 diagnosis and died of metastatic cancer on September 14, 2024.
Alleged failures
The complaint alleges the following failures:
- Dr. Nasiru failed to identify or report a 6–7 cm pelvic mass that was clearly visible on the September 9, 2023 CT scan and instead reported no acute findings.
- This misinterpretation delayed the patient’s cancer diagnosis and treatment until after January 18, 2024 and allowed the malignancy to progress.
- The complaint alleges that Quantum Radiology, P.C. is vicariously liable for Dr. Nasiru’s acts and omissions under respondeat superior.