Case involves the use of Savi Scout probe to do a needle localization procedure for breast cancer. During the procedure the patient received a significant burn to the breast. No explanation from the hospital or device manufacturer. I require a Radiologist who is familiar with this device to essentially say that a burn is not ordinarily associated with the procedure, absent some form of negligence. (res ipsa)
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Do you believe there might have been medical error?
Certainly, an error occurred since there was a terrible burn after the procedure. I think it unlikely that there was a complication in placing the reflective marker in the breast by the radiologist. However, I would look at the surgeon's experience with using the radar detector and whether or not there was a malfunction of a Bovie pad or some other device (a heat source) inadvertently placed on the burned part of the breast.
Do you believe there might have been causation (i.e. the medical error resulted in an injury)?
Complications of this sort are supposed to be avoided by careful preparation and execution of any procedure. For this to have happened, there was definitely causation.
What makes you a good expert for this case?
I am not a good expert for this case. I do lots of cases, but I have no experience with this new device and I am not now a mammo specialist, although I was in the past, more than 20 years ago.
How often do you encounter cases similar to this one in your practice?
I have done hundreds of depositions and trials and I have reviewed thousands of cases for attorneys.
Do you believe there might have been medical error?
The savi scout is an inert device that could not possibly result in a burn like this. it is the size of a grain of rice. This redness looks like a tape allergy. I would need to know more details on this case to make a final conclusion. Is this before the or after the wireless localization? When did the burn appear? Not enough details here.
Do you believe there might have been causation (i.e. the medical error resulted in an injury)?
see above. I dont think an error occured assuming this is an allergic reaction.
What makes you a good expert for this case?
I am an Academic Radiologist at UCLA. I have experience with needle guided procedures. I have experience with breast biopsies and marker placements. I have performed hundreds of marker placements for breast lesions during my training.
How often do you encounter cases similar to this one in your practice?
I have never seen a burn like this from a breast mass localization. I have seen burns from MRI, and also many allergic reaction rashes from latex, tape, etc.
Do you believe there might have been medical error?
I have not seen this skin injury in relation to savi scout placement.
Do you believe there might have been causation (i.e. the medical error resulted in an injury)?
I would ask about other details in the case such as skin allergies, drug allergies for example to antibiotics or adhesives or tape.
What makes you a good expert for this case?
I am a board certified, sub specialist in Breast Imaging who performs Savi Scout placement amongst other breast imaging procedures. In my clinical practice I do 100% breast radiology
How often do you encounter cases similar to this one in your practice?
I have never seen nor heard about this type of skin change in relation to Savi Scout placement.
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