Misdiagnosed Anomaly & Malpractice Litigations in Radiology-A Case Report

A healthy 21 year old primigravida who came for regular routine antenatal checkup with no prior history of cleft lip or palate underwent ultrasonography examination for foetal well being five times before full term delivery as a part of routine protocol for antenatal examination. In each report the radiologist interpreted normal findings of ultrasonography even on level II Scan (routine anomaly scan) for fetal well being. But on delivery the baby was found to be a case of cleft lip & palate. Above it all when the patient and her attendant were treated in an unprofessional way by staff, they filed a complaint against the radiologist of medical malpractice alleging that the doctor was negligent in failing to diagnose a case of cleft lip & palate. This case is a glaring example of inadequate & poor communication between the radiologist, referring doctor and the patient.