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Delayed diagnosis of spinal cord injuries in Huntington's disease

Hamish D Morrison1,2, Dafydd Morgan3, Duncan J McLauchlan4,5

  • 1Neurology, North Bristol NHS Trust, Westbury on Trym, UK hamish.morrison@nhs.net.

Practical Neurology
|February 5, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Huntington's disease (HD) can complicate emergency diagnoses. Cognitive biases in physicians may delay identifying traumatic spinal cord injuries in advanced HD patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases

Background:

  • Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
  • HD presents with cognitive, motor, and psychiatric symptoms.
  • Advanced HD poses diagnostic challenges in emergency settings.

Observation:

  • Two cases of delayed traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) diagnosis in advanced HD patients are presented.
  • Physicians unfamiliar with HD encountered diagnostic difficulties.
  • Cognitive bias and other factors contributed to diagnostic delays.

Findings:

  • The study highlights the potential for misdiagnosis in advanced HD patients presenting with acute symptoms.
  • Cognitive biases, such as premature closure, can impede accurate diagnosis.
  • Systemic factors may also contribute to diagnostic delays.

Implications:

  • Improved physician education on HD is crucial for emergency departments.
  • Awareness of cognitive biases can enhance diagnostic accuracy for complex neurological conditions.
  • Timely diagnosis of traumatic SCI in HD patients is essential for appropriate management and outcomes.

Keywords:
Huntington's

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