How do you know if you've been the victim of medical malpractice in the treatment of your brain aneurysm? This article tells you what to look for when grading the quality of your brain aneurysm medical care. Don't let yourself be the silent victim of medical malpractice. Take legal action to protect yourself and others.

What is an Aneurysm?

An aneurysm is an area on the wall of an artery that has become weak and, as a consequence, has ballooned outward.

What is a Brain Aneurysm?

There are several arteries at the base of your brain that supply oxygen-rich blood to your brain tissue. A brain aneurysm is an aneurysm that develops in one of these cerebral arteries.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of a Brain Aneurysm?

Typically, brain aneurysms have no signs or symptoms. In fact, you may go years with a brain aneurysm without ever knowing you have one. It is usually only after a brain aneurysm ruptures and starts to leak blood that patients begin to feel signs and symptoms associated with the leaking blood. When blood leaks from a brain aneurysm it is called a subarachnoid hemorrhage. The typical signs and symptoms of a ruptured brain aneurysm/subarachnoid hemorrhage include the following:

• Sudden onset severe headache: If you are experiencing a sudden onset headache that is different from and worse than any headache you have ever had, there is a good chance you are suffering from a ruptured brain aneurysm. This is particularly the case in patients who have no history of recurrent headaches or migraines.
  
• Nausea and vomiting: Many people suffering from a ruptured brain aneurysm will experience nausea and vomiting as a result of the increase in intracranial pressure caused by the bleeding from the ruptured brain aneurysm. While nausea and vomiting alone is a common occurrence in the general population, and not in and of itself a strong sign of ruptured brain aneurysm, nausea and vomiting in association with a sudden onset severe headache is strongly suggestive of a ruptured brain aneurysm, particularly in patients who do not have a history of migraine-related nausea and vomiting.
• Neck pain: As with nausea and vomiting, neck pain is a common occurrence and not in and of itself strongly suggestive of a ruptured brain aneurysm. However, when neck pain is present in association with sudden onset severe headache and/or nausea and vomiting, it can be indicative of a ruptured brain aneurysm, particularly in patients who lack a history of neck pain or neck stiffness.
• Altered state of consciousness: Drowsiness, restlessness and agitation are all mental states that can be associated with a ruptured brain aneurysm. As with nausea and vomiting, these altered states of consciousness are caused by an increase in intracranial pressure associated with the bleeding of the ruptured aneurysm.
• Neurological impairment: These include weakness, paralysis, visual disturbances, abnormal eye movements, changes in pupil function, and disturbances in facial muscles. As with nausea and vomiting and altered states of consciousness, neurological impairment results from increased intracranial pressure caused by the bleeding of the ruptured aneurysm.
• Excessive sensitivity to light: Excessive sensitivity to light means that sunlight or bright indoor light causes pain in your eyes or in your head. This can be a sign of a ruptured brain aneurysm.

What are the Risk Factors for Ruptured Brain Aneurysm?

Significantly more women than men suffer from ruptured brain aneurysm ("RBA"). Black people are more likely to have a RBA than white people. The risk of RBA increases with age. It is also increased in people with a family history. The risk of RBA increases dramatically during the third trimester of pregnancy. And people with fibromuscular dysplasia, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, Marfan's syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are at increased risk of RBA. Lifestyle factors that increase the risk of RBA include smoking, uncontrolled high blood pressure, heavy alcohol use, and cocaine and amphetamine abuse.

What forms of Medical Malpractice occur in relation to Ruptured Brain Aneurysms?

• Doctor didn't listen: One of the most frequent forms of medical malpractice committed in relation to ruptured brain aneurysm ("RBA") is the failure of the doctor to listen to the patient when the patient reports their symptoms. Doctors are so often in a hurry to get to their next patient that they often fail to pay adequate attention to what their present patient is telling them.
• Doctor assumed it was just a migraine: Most of the headaches that doctors deal with on a daily basis are not the result of a ruptured brain aneurysm. In fact, it is the rare headache that is caused by a ruptured brain aneurysm. This fact causes the less than careful doctor to assume that all headaches have a cause other than RBA. Big mistake.
  
• Doctor failed to ask enough questions: Every headache is unique in terms of speed of onset, location, sensation, intensity, duration, and associated symptoms. Doctors are trained in medical school to try to learn everything they can about your headache by asking you questions: have you ever had a similar headache; when did it begin; what were you doing when it began; did it come on fast or slow; what does it feel like; where does it hurt; has it changed over time; how long have you had it; how badly does it hurt; etc. Without an answer to these questions it is impossible to know what is causing any given headache. However, asking and getting an answer to these questions takes time and requires patience. Many doctors lack the patience to ask these questions. Many others feel they do not have enough time. The doctor who fails to thoroughly evaluate your headache by asking you these questions commits medical malpractice.
• Doctor failed to do a thorough physical exam: Many important things about your headache can only be learned through a comprehensive physical exam. The physical exam should include an evaluation of your level of consciousness, orientation, cerebellar function, cranial nerve function, muscle strength, neck mobility, level of sensation, quality of gait, and bodily reflexes. The doctor should also look at the back of your eyes for signs of hemorrhage using a device called a funduscope. Without a detailed physical exam, the doctor will remain in the dark as to the cause of your headache. However, a comprehensive physical exam takes time, and unfortunately many doctors are not willing to take that time. Malpractice results.
• Doctor failed to order the right test: CT scan of the head (without contrast) is the gold standard for diagnosing a ruptured brain aneurysm. It is about 95% accurate if ordered within a few hours of the rupture. It is also non-invasive, relatively inexpensive and can be completed in minutes. If you are experiencing the worst headache of your life and the doctor failed to order a head CT, that doctor committed malpractice.
• Doctor failed to do lumbar puncture where CT was inconclusive: When a patient has clinical signs and symptoms of a ruptured brain aneurysm but the CT scan is normal or inconclusive, a lumbar puncture should be performed to look for signs of blood in the cerebro-spinal fluid.

What are the consequences of Medical Malpractice in the setting of RBAs?

Studies have conclusively shown that the sooner a ruptured brain aneurysm is diagnosed and treated, the better the patient's outcome. Therefore, when it comes to ruptured brain aneurysms, delay in diagnosis and treatment can literally mean the difference between life and death.

What can you do?

If you believe that you or someone you love has been the victim of medical malpractice in the treatment of a ruptured brain aneurysm, you should contact a medical malpractice law firm with experience handling brain injury cases. Berger & Lagnese has successfully handled multiple catastrophic brain injury cases, and its lawyers have extensive knowledge about medical malpractice in the diagnosis and treatment of ruptured brain aneurysms.