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Brain Tumor Misdiagnosis

Brain tumors can present in different ways. Some symptoms are severe headaches, dizziness and nausea. Some brain tumors with symptoms are benign. For example, a meningioma may appear as a tumor in the lining along the brain, but is not always or even often times malignant. A meningioma of the brain, although a serious tumor, may be surgically removed in many cases without lasting effects on a patient. Some cases of meningioma can be treated without surgery, but with radiation instead.

However, some brain tumors can be malignant and be very serious unless diagnosis is made early and the treatment is successful.

Other symptoms of brain tumors are seizures. Brain tumors are usually identified by CT scan or MRI. Those are the two best ways to identify the size and location of the tumor.

In one Kreisman Law Offices case, a 50 year-old woman with no other medical issues was diagnosed with a meningioma or benign brain tumor located in a place that would have under normal circumstances been easily removed by a neurosurgeon without lasting effects. Unfortunately, the neurologist and emergency room physician involved in the care of this patient misdiagnosed the beginnings of her brain swelling or herniation, which lead to her untimely death. This death should have been avoided and prevented. If only the doctors involved had been communicating with each other, the patient would have been hospitalized and treated.

Brain tumors are known to come with certain symptoms such as:

  • Loss of movement in an arm or leg
  • Seizures not explainable by other means
  • Total or partial loss of vision, especially peripheral vision
  • Double vision
  • Difficulty with speech
  • Total or partial loss of hearing
  • Disorientation or dizziness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Memory loss
  • Change in menstrual cycle or infertility
  • Change in behavior
  • Stroke

If any of these symptoms occur, an emergency physician visit would be necessary. These are symptoms represent a condition that could be very dangerous and require immediate medical attention to rule out the most deadly possible causes. Not reporting these conditions could be fatal. Doctors always need to know what subjective or objective symptoms are present in order to better diagnose and treat patients. Even though symptoms of a brain tumor are considered sometimes the diagnosis is still missed. The best way to diagnose and treat a brain tumor is to utilize the best diagnostic tools like an MRI with contrast that would highlight the location of the tumor and may allow the physician to measure the size of the tumor and to determine whether the tumor is malignant or benign.

Neurological tests can be conducted as well. These tests will determine if the patient is experiencing some neurological deficit indicative of a brain tumor. The doctor will test the patient for alertness, physical coordination and nervous system health.

Another sure way to know the depth of the tumor or its level of disease is to do a biopsy when possible. Because of the location of the brain tumor, a biopsy may often times not be possible.

Brain tumors are misdiagnosed because the symptoms mirror other diseases like meningitis, Alzheimer’s disease, migraine headaches and encephalitis. When doctors are unsure, more testing would be required to rule out a deadly brain tumor.

If you or someone you know has been injured or died as a result of a brain tumor misdiagnosis, please call us for an immediate free consultation. Robert Kreisman of Kreisman Law Offices has been handling Chicago and Illinois brain tumor misdiagnosis cases for more than 40 years.

With our years of experience in trying and settling brain tumor misdiagnosis cases, Kreisman Law Offices provides the best possible services to our clients and have achieved unsurpassed results. Our service is unmatched. Please call us 24 hours a day at 312.346.0045 or toll free 800.583.8002 for a free and immediate consultation, or complete a contact form online. There is no charge for a consultation that will include an evaluation of your case, assessment of your damages such as lost income, lost wages, medical and hospital bills, past and future pain and suffering, loss of normal life and wrongful death.

The Mary E. Smith Foundation was created by the family and survivors of Mary E. Smith following her tragic death because of brain tumor misdiagnosis. Its purpose is to provide resources to assist in the early detection and prevention of deadly brain tumors-so this tragedy to this family may be prevented from occurring again.

Committed to winning the fight against brain tumors, Mary E. Smith Foundation; www.maryesmithfoundation.org.


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“My mother died because doctors dropped the ball. I called Robert Kreisman and he immediately set up an appointment for my entire family. We met at his offices and I was very comfortable that he would do the best for my dad and my brothers. He spent hours with all of us in preparing for depositions and he hired top notch experts, all of which contributed to an incredible settlement before trial. I know that he is dedicated to his cases and particularly to the people he works for and the people who work with him. He continues to be generous in contributing annually to my mother’s memory and to make known to the public the signs and symptoms of brain tumors.” V.S.
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