Severe headache, but no CT scan results in death
A HOSPITALIZED 57-YEAR-OLD MAN complained of a severe headache that he described as a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10. At the time, he was taking warfarin. After 6 days, he died from a brain herniation and hemorrhage.
PLAINTIFF’S CLAIM Despite the patient’s complaint of severe headache, the physician failed to order a computed tomography scan of the head.
THE DEFENSE The patient’s headaches had waxed and waned and were associated with a fever of recent onset. There were no focal neurologic deficits to suggest that there was any problem with the brain. The brain hemorrhage was a sudden and acute event.
VERDICT $250,000 Illinois verdict.
COMMENT Have a high index of suspicion for intracranial hemorrhage in patients taking warfarin with severe headache. What more needs to be said?