Botched Mammogram Reading Caused Delayed Diagnosis, Woman Claims

5-15-2013 21:21:00

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (CN) - A woman’s breast cancer diagnosis was delayed while her cancer progressed because two doctors misread her mammograms, she claims in a complaint filed in the State Court of Gwinnett County, Georgia.

Marie Isaac sues Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, The Southeast Permanente Medical Group and two radiologists, Susan Maeda, M.D. and Eugene Maso, M.D. who both acted as agents or employees of Kaiser, according to the complaint.

In Jun. 2011 Marie Isaac had a right breast diagnostic mammogram, which Dr. Maeda interpreted as a “probably benign finding,” with “short interval follow-up suggested,” the complaint says. Isaac alleges Dr. Maeda “committed negligent acts and omissions and deviated from the standard of care by failing to appropriately read and interpret the mammogram,” and “by failing to recommend additional diagnostic studies including an ultrasound and tissue biopsy.”

A followup bilateral mammogram was done in Dec. 2011 and interpreted by Dr. Maso as a “benign finding,” the complaint continues.

The American College of Radiology recommends several mammograms showing no changes over a period of 24 months before downgrading a “probably benign” finding to a “benign” finding, according to a publication found on that organization’s Web site.

Because of Dr. Maso’s acts and omissions “there was a delay in the diagnosis of plaintiff, Marie Isaac’s breast cancer and a progression of her breast cancer,” the complaint continues. “Marie Isaac sustained damages including pain, suffering, mental anguish and special damages including medical expenses and loss of wages and income,” the complaint says.

Marie Isaac’s husband Richard Isaac sues for loss of consortium. Plaintiffs are represented by G. Scott Buff of Buff & Chronister in Lawrenceville.