Neuro-Monitoring Expert Witnesses
Deep insight into cases involving surgical errors and malpractice
Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM), also known as neuro-monitoring or neural monitoring, is a medical technique that involves recording and interpreting the electrical activity of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves in real-time during the surgical procedure. In procedures that pose a risk to the nervous system, such as brain surgery or surgery on the spine or peripheral nerves, neuro-monitoring serves to detect warning signs of damage or dysfunction so that the surgical team can take immediate corrective action.
Some of the techniques used in neuro-monitoring include:
- Electroencephalography (EEG)
- Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs)
- Motor evoked potentials (MEPs)
- Electromyography (EMG)
In the United States, neuro-monitoring is typically performed by neurophysiologists, who may be physicians or allied health professionals such as technologists or technicians. The specific requirements vary from state to state; some states require neural monitoring to be performed by a doctor, while others allow allied health professionals to perform IONM under the supervision of a doctor.
The role of neuro-monitoring in medical malpractice cases
Surgical errors are always dangerous, and the danger is only compounded when surgery poses a threat to the neural system. A surgical error during brain surgery or spinal cord surgery can have catastrophic consequences for the patient, including brain damage, paralysis, and other life-altering injuries.
In these circumstances, the immediate question is, “What went wrong?” An IONM professional can review the medical records to reconstruct what happened during the surgical procedure and whether there were warning signs of neurological damage that were either missed or ignored. An IONM expert witness can play a critical role in a medical malpractice case by reconstructing what happened.
Talk to a member of our team about your potential case
Medical malpractice claims always require a great deal of up-front investment and care, especially when they involve surgical errors and substantial damages. However, the right neuro-monitoring expert witness can make a significant difference. To find out how Rieback Medical-Legal Consultants can help with your potential case, contact us for your free case summary review.