Medical Malpractice Information

The types of anesthesia typically utilized for any invasive or surgical procedure are generally categorized as either general anesthesia or regional anesthesia. General anesthesia is typically administered intravenously or is inhaled through a facemask. As its name suggests, general anesthesia is intended to render the patient unconscious. As a result, general anesthesia is most frequently utilized during major surgical procedures. Regional anesthesia, also sometimes called spinal, epidural or local anesthesia, is designed to block the sensation of pain in a…

Bleeding disorders can result from potentially multiple causes leading to either a hypercoagulation disorder or to disorders in which the blood does not properly clot, leading to excessive and possibly uncontrollable bleeding. Hypercoagulation generally refers to conditions where there is excessive blood clotting. Hypercoagulation can lead to the formation of blood clots within the blood vessels. These conditions are referred to as thrombosis or phlebitis. Hypercoagulation disorders leading to the formation of blood vessel clots are associated with severe and…

Breast cancer is generally recognized as being the most common form of cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer death, only exceeded by lung cancer. There are numerous risk factors which have been recognized as being associated with the development of breast cancer. Such risk factors include a family history of breast cancer, a personal history of the prior development of breast cancer and the use of estrogen replacement therapy. There are many types of breast cancers,…

Cauda equina syndrome is a severe neurologic disorder that usually is associated with a herniated disc in the lower, or lumbar, region of the back. Cauda equina is Latin for “horse’s tail”. The cauda equina is the sack of nerve roots at the end of the spinal cord. The individual nerve roots at the end of the spinal cord provide motor and sensory function to the legs, the bladder and the bowel. Cauda equina syndrome most commonly results from a…

A cerebral or brain aneurysm is typically characterized as a weakening or bulging of part of the wall of a vein or artery in the brain. There are several recognized risk factors for the development of a cerebral aneurysm. Such factors include trauma to the head or brain, high blood pressure or hypertension or even congenital defects. The signs and symptoms of an unruptured cerebral aneurysm may include severe headaches, nausea, vomiting and visual disturbances. Some individuals with an unruptured…

Generally speaking, the primary diseases of the gallbladder are referred to as either cholecystitis or cholelithiasis. Cholelithiasis refers to the formation of gallstones either within the gallbladder or in the biliary passages. The formation of gallstones often results in severe and sometimes debilitating pain that may be associated with the partial or complete blockage of the flow of bile from the liver to the gallbladder. Cholecystitis generally refers to an inflammation of the gallbladder that may also be associated with…

Melanoma is generally recognized as being the most serious and potentially the most fatal form of all skin cancers. The onset of melanoma is typically characterized by a change in either the size, shape, color or texture of an existing mole or skin lesion. Melanoma lesions will typically have an asymmetrical or irregular shape. The color of melanoma lesions may not be uniform. Often, the color of melanoma lesions can vary from shades of black, brown or tan. Frequently, melanoma…

The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. It produces fluid for semen. The prostate is a small organ which is located just below the bladder. As men get older, the prostate may increase in size. An increase in the size of the prostate may interfere with urine flow or make the urine flow weaker or slower. There are certain diseases of the prostate in addition to cancer. Benign prostate hyperplasia, or “BPH,” which is the enlargement of…

There are many forms of skin cancer, the most common being melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma is by far the most serious and potentially deadly type of skin cancer if not promptly diagnosed and treated. Melanoma is characterized by lesions that are typically irregularly or asymmetrically shaped and of varying colors. Melanoma lesions also typically increase in size as the lesion becomes more advanced. Basal cell carcinoma is generally recognized as being the most common form…

A stroke generally refers to the sudden restriction or blockage of the blood supply to a part of the brain. There are several types or mechanisms of stroke, including ischemic stroke, subarachnoid stroke and intracerebral stroke. Ischemic stroke refers to the most common form of stroke. An ischemic stroke typically occurs when an artery supplying blood to the brain is occluded or completely blocked. A subarachnoid stroke is characterized by the rupture of a cerebral artery leading to bleeding into…