Dr George Fernie, Senior Medicolegal Adviser, introduces this issue’s round-up of case reports, which highlight the importance of being aware of distracting symptoms, and being prepared to revisit decisions, when making a diagnosis

In “Too quick to clear the spine”, the multiple injuries Miss T suffered in a road traffic accident made it difficult to localise the pain to her neck. As a result of these distracting injuries, ED consultant Dr W missed the C6 fracture and removed Miss T’s spinal collar. A detailed record of the severity of the accident might have alerted Dr W to the potential for severe spinal injury. In this case, the two junior orthopaedic doctors did not challenge Dr W’s diagnosis that Miss T’s c-spine had been cleared, despite the paraesthesia in all her limbs. Where necessary, previous clinical decisions should be challenged, even those of senior colleagues.

Similarly, you should always be prepared to revisit your own diagnosis, should symptoms persist. Dr G, in “Double problem, double risk”, was distracted by Mr E’s multiple complaints and did not reconsider his initial diagnosis. The five-month delay in the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil meant that the case could not be defended.