Radiologists reviewing scores of patients who were
Radiologists reviewing scores of patients who were allegedly failed by the director of Exeter’s breast screening unit made exactly the same mistakes, the GMC heard today (WED).
Dr John Brennan, 51, and fellow consultant radiologist Graham Urquhart, 55, have already admitted failing to spot signs and symptoms of cancer in 58 women between January 1991 and June 1997.
But today Brennan’s defence barrister Nicola Davies QC criticised the radiologists tasked with re-assessing two women at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital in late 1997.
Brennan and Urquhart have been criticised by expert Dr Robert Wilson for not applying the triple test on patients to prove breast abnormalities were definitely benign.
Today it was claimed radiologists including Dr Eric Roebuck also failed to carry out clinical examination or needle biopsy at review.
Patient A4 was found to have a 9mm mass which was interpreted by Brennan as showing ‘no significant abnormality’ and she was put on the three-year recall list.
The woman was reviewed on 31 July 1997 by Dr Roebuck who performed a ‘wire localisation’ without doing a needle biopsy.
He recorded in his notes: ‘Bullseye’ and the mass was later diagnosed as a carcinoma.
Miss Davies QC asked expert Dr Robert Wilson: ‘Given your criticism of Dr Brennan and his failure to carry out needle sampling and clinical assessment, what do you say about the actions of Dr Roebuck?’
Dr Wilson replied: ‘There was mention of Parkinsons disease and it may be possible that they decided not to do a biopsy because of that.
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Miss Davies said: ‘Was not the subsequent management of the patient relevant to see what other doctors were doing?’
Dr Wilson: ‘It may well be relevant but it was not what I was asked to do.
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Patient A8 was also assessed in October 1997 after Dr Brennan gave her the all clear as having a ‘benign-type’ 13mm mass in her right breast in July 1995.
The radiologist at review found the lump to be ‘radiologically benign’ and she was returned to routine recall.
Miss Davies asked: ‘There was no ultrasound or needle assessment, it was purely on the basis of the films.
What do you have to say about that?’
Dr Wilson replied: ‘I hadn’t realised the subsequent management would be relevant to the management in 1995 and 1996.
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Miss Davies then pointed out that ‘calcifications’ seen in the case of patient A5 were interpreted differently by screening units across the country.
Brennan is accused of giving the woman the all clear in September 1994 without carrying out needle biopsy.
In 1995 she was diagnosed with carcinoma in her right breast.
Miss Davies said: ‘This is one area where thinking has changed and in an assessment of risk in 1994 it would be reasonable when today it would not be reasonable.
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Dr Wilson said: ‘I do admit that the assessment of calcifications is one of the most difficult a radiologist has to make.
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Brennan, of 40a Highweek Village, Newton Abbot, Devon, and Urquhart, of The Farmhouse, 4 Higher Alston Farm, Alston Lane, Churston Ferrers, Brixham, Devon, both deny serious professional misconduct.
The hearing continues.
ends
