(1) The radiologist fails to identify and report an abnormal finding that is visible on imaging.
(2) The radiologist sees and reports an abnormal finding, but the ordering physician fails to note or act appropriately on the radiologist’s report.
The second type of malpractice will be apparent from the patient’s medical record, but the only way to investigate whether a finding was visible on imaging and missed is to obtain the images and have them reviewed by an appropriately credentialed radiologist.
Either type of negligence can cause a delay in diagnosis of the patient’s condition, which can be disastrous depending on the finding that was missed or not acted on appropriately. The failure to identify a suspicious mass on a mammogram (an x-ray of the breast) may result in a delay in diagnosis of breast cancer. The failure to identify a small bone fracture on a CT scan may result in the patient suffering a much larger fracture, requiring much more extensive surgery, rehabilitation and future complications that should have been avoided.