results of mri

i had a tbi 6 months ago. (hematoma and craniotomy). before the accident, i suffered from tmj (left side) i went to see tmj specialist (after therapy for tmj w/oral surgeon) who ordered mri. the results are:

there is evidence of a prior left temporal craniotomy.  there is some encephalomalacia associated with the lateral aspect of left temporal lobe.  gyriform T1-weighted hyperintensity is present in this area, comsistent with methemoglobin deposition.  this would be compatible with prior traumatic and/or surgical injury.

with respect to the temporomandibular joint, there is evidence of anterior dislocation of the disc, with relocation on mouth opening.  the do not see any evidence of abnormal fluid or bone marrow signal abnormality involving the temporomandibular joint.

on the right, there is a normal appearnace and position to the tmj disc and joint space.

my question is:  1) was the tmj worsened by the accident? 2) had tmj last month (absolutely no pain in ear anymore) but still suffer from daily headaches...injury 6 months ago. have been diagnosed with cognitive as well as anxiety disorder per neuropsychology testing. taking cymbalta per physiatrist. 3)today obtained copy of this report which i will show to my att. physician as soon as possible......just wondering if findings may cause headaches.

***neurosurgeon has said my brain and skull looked perfect (after i told him my head popped everytime i took a step...not from tmj...and he sent me for a ct scan.) still have bad headaches DAILY. would the ct scan not pick up the mri findings?

[kennyd52]

My wife entered the hospital on March 23, 2009 after an accidental fall down the stairs on March 22, 2009.  She was in pain and I called the nurses hotline and they told me to call an ambulance as she was complaining about head, neck and back pain.  When we got to the hospital she waited for several hours.  Eventually she had an x-ray and the initial doctor said there were no broken bones and released her from the hospital with some narcotics for pain.  Four days later I took her back to the hospital and the new ER doctor saw on the same x-rays that she had a cracked skull, compound fractured neck and a hyrniated disk in her lower back.  Then I got a call on March 29  at 8:05 am by a doctor saying that he had to perform a medical surgury and my wife may die.  Four days at home and two days in the hospital to make the brain swell and cause a stroke?  What can you say about Malpractise?
Am I right or am I comfussed?

[caregiver222]

If the facts are as stated (and there are two sides to every story), you indeed have a significant actionable case of malpractice and should see an attorney (more than one) immediately for a consultation. The treatment your wife recieved, if the situation is as you have stated, represents inexcuseable poor care.

In a situation as you describe they will take the case on contingency.

Obtain the ambulance call report. Part of the fault lies with the EMT's and paramedics who did not properly insure triage. You have a tort case involving interpleaded defendants, and both EMT's and the ambulance service must bear some responsibility.l am willing to bet two chocolate sodas the ambulance call report makes no mention whatsoever of a head injury.

Ontain all medical records of the ER visit mimmediately. Do not mention lafpractice. These records have a habit of disappearing. Find out the names of all physicians and nurses on duty that day in the ER. There is generally a surgical and medical side. Your attorney may request such information with a so-called subpoena duces tecum.

Faiklure to treat such an injury could (but not always) cause permanant brain damage. Hopefully, this is not the case.

[caregiver222]

Your wife should have been transported to the hospital wearing a cervical collar on a backboard.

If the EMT's did not do this, file an immediate formal complaint by registered mail with your State Department of Health and request a hearing to determine the facts of the call and if the EMT certificates of the crew should be revoked.