Missed Stroke on a CT Scan: When Radiology Errors Become Medical Malpractice
A CT scan is often the first imaging test ordered when someone arrives at an emergency department with possible stroke symptoms. It is fast, widely available, and excellent at identifying bleeding in the brain. But “fast” does not always mean “complete,” and a normal or unclear CT result can create a dangerous sense of reassurance. Certain strokes, especially early ischemic strokes, can be difficult to see on a non-contrast CT in the first hours. Add in the pressure of a busy emergency department, variable symptom presentation, and the need for rapid decisions about clot-busting medications, and the risk of a...