Patient’s Vision Loss Worsened by Delayed Treatment

ByJoseph O'Neill

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Updated onOctober 3, 2017

Patient’s Vision Loss Worsened by Delayed Treatment

This case involves a patient who experienced progressive vision loss and was eventually diagnosed with a pituitary tumor. The patient underwent medical imaging and had films taken, however no abnormal findings were reported. The patient had gotten progressively worse since the imaging was preformed; and as a result she went back in 6-years later, at which time a mass was found. She was diagnosed with large pituitary macro-adenoma. She had a resection left inferior turbinate mass and had acute worsening of vision. Another radiologist looked at the film from the original imaging, where the mass was described as a size of pea, but by the time it was found it was the size of a small plum. The plaintiff alleges had she been diagnosed sooner, action could have been taken to prevent her progressing loss of vision.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Do you routinely treat patients similar to the one described in the case? Please explain.

2. Do you believe this patient may have had a better outcome if the care rendered had been different?

3. Have you ever served as an expert witness on a case similar to the one described above? If so, please explain.

Expert Witness Response E-006021

inline imageI routinely see and treat patients with similar circumstances to those described in this case overview (ie: with a small mass not being appropriately identified on an imaging study). The patient most likely would have had a better outcome if the mass compressing the optic nerve or optic chiasmal had been identified earlier, and had been surgically resected sooner. I have served as an expert witness on a similar case, but it settled before going to court. As a neuro- ophthalmologist, patients who have vision problems resulting from compression of the optic nerve or chiasm by intracranial tumors such as pituitary tumors and meningiomas are referred to me on a regular basis. I would be happy to review this matter on behalf of the plaintiff.

About the author

Joseph O'Neill

Joseph O'Neill

Joe has extensive experience in online journalism and technical writing across a range of legal topics, including personal injury, meidcal malpractice, mass torts, consumer litigation, commercial litigation, and more. Joe spent close to six years working at Expert Institute, finishing up his role here as Director of Marketing. He has considerable knowledge across an array of legal topics pertaining to expert witnesses. Currently, Joe servces as Owner and Demand Generation Consultant at LightSail Consulting.

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