There are numerous treatment plans available for stroke patients in Illinois. However, when a cerebrovascular accident is never diagnosed in the first place, it decreases the chances that a patient will survive and recover fully. It’s crucial to learn more about posterior circulation strokes and how often they are misdiagnosed.
The rates of misdiagnoses in stroke patients
Posterior circulation strokes occur when blood flow is decreased to the posterior circulation of the brain. This is located near the base of the brain and supplies blood to different sections, such as the midbrain and the thalamus.
Posterior circulation strokes represent 20% of the total number of acute ischemic strokes. Patients are two or three times more likely to be misdiagnosed with this type of stroke. This is mainly because the problem is located in the posterior section of the brain, which is more difficult to access than the anterior section.
Why a misdiagnosis is so serious
A stroke misdiagnosis causes more complications for stroke patients. They experience worsening symptoms from the first stroke, which are often left untreated, and may include permanent paralysis, difficulty speaking and lack of balance. They’re also at risk of undergoing a second stroke that is equally as bad or more severe than the first one.
How it becomes a personal injury
A misdiagnosis can lead to a personal injury lawsuit. A misdiagnosed patient might sue a doctor or medical team for getting the results wrong by filing a medical malpractice case in order to receive compensation for suffering a stroke, not knowing about it and not being able to receive treatment.
