Legal: Failure to detect dermoid cyst alleged

A 22-year-old New York woman had a gynecologic examination in 2002. About a year later she was diagnosed with a huge dermoid ovarian cyst. She underwent an operation to remove the cyst and an appendectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy were also done. At the time the cyst was removed it was about 30 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm and weighed over 7 lb.

The woman sued the gynecologist and claimed the cyst should have been diagnosed during the 2002 examination and that would have required less invasive treatment.

The physician claimed the cyst was not detected in 2002, nor did the patient report any abdominal pain or symptoms at that time. She also claimed the patient did not report any abdominal problems during an examination performed 4 months prior to the diagnosis. She contended that any delay in diagnosing the cyst did not change the treatment or outcome. A defense verdict was returned.