A woman who alleged that she had suffered permanent disability after a misreported MRI scan led to a delay in diagnosing cancer has obtained compensation from the NHS trust responsible for her care.
She had been diagnosed with a nerve sheath tumour. She underwent an MRI scan and the tumour was reported as stable. However, she was later diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma. She developed cauda equina syndrome and permanent paraplegia.
She brought a claim against the NHS trust, alleging that the MRI scan ought to have raised concerns that the tumour was malignant. The NHS trust denied that the MRI scan had been negligently reported and claimed that earlier treatment would not have prevented her injuries.
Evidence was obtained from two neurosurgeons and a spinal sarcoma surgeon, indicating that if malignancy had been suspected earlier, she would have been referred for treatment in time to prevent neurological deterioration.
Shortly before the question of whether there had been a breach of duty was due to come to trial, a £3 million settlement was agreed.