Mum, 34, died from allergic response after being rushed to hospital | UK | News | EUROtoday

A 34 12 months outdated mom tragically died from a uncommon allergic response after being rushed to hospital with extreme toothache, following weeks of unsuccessful makes an attempt to safe a dental appointment. Leigh Rodgers, a kitchen designer at B&Q, had been affected by excruciating toothache that unfold to her neck and chest for roughly two weeks.

On March 7, 2024, she was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham, the place she was assessed for a tooth abscess and given a CT scan to rule out Ludwig’s angina – a uncommon however probably deadly bacterial an infection brought on by a tooth an infection. Tragically, Leigh suffered a uncommon allergic response to the distinction medium used within the imaging course of and handed away simply 90 minutes later.

The inquest held on February 19, 2025, revealed no proof of Ludwig’s angina within the CT scan outcomes. Leigh’s heartbroken mom, Pam Rodgers, 56, believes that if her daughter had been in a position to safe a dental appointment earlier, she would nonetheless be alive as we speak, as the necessity for a scan to rule out the an infection wouldn’t have arisen.

Leigh, who leaves behind a 9 12 months outdated daughter, lived in Stanhope, Co. Durham, and was unable to get an NHS appointment as a result of lengthy ready instances and backlogs, based on her household. Her accomplice, Darren, informed the inquest that Leigh had “tried to get a dentist appointment but couldn’t for weeks”.

Leigh’s mum Pam mentioned: “Every time I close my eyes I imagine my daughter in the coffin. If she could’ve gotten a dental appointment, she wouldn’t be dead, and if she could’ve gotten urgent care she wouldn’t have been dead.”

Senior assistant coroner Crispin Oliver decided that Leigh’s demise was as a result of an excessive allergic response to the distinction media given for a CT scan after visiting the Emergency Department at University Hospital of North Durham for what have been regarded as tooth abscess signs and attainable Ludwig’s Angina.

NHS Direct warns of uncommon dangers related to CT scans, together with an allergy to the distinction medium, probably inflicting weak point, sweating, and respiratory difficulties. Patients are instructed to stay on the hospital for about half-hour post-scan in the event that they obtained the distinction medium. Pam believes her daughter was not adequately knowledgeable about these dangers.

Pam mentioned: “I don’t accept that they were too busy and there’s nothing stopping them from handing out a leaflet to explain the risks and to explain what they are doing to her. I want to make people aware of the risks of contrast media and issues with the NHS. Those involved at the inquest and were saying it was someone else was at fault. But it should be a department wide decision and not on individual doctors.”

A consultant for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust expressed: “We are deeply saddened by Leigh’s death, and our heartfelt condolences go out to her family during this incredibly difficult time. We are fully committed to providing the highest standard of patient care. A thorough investigation into Leigh’s care has been carried out, and the findings have been shared with Leigh’s family.

“We are guaranteeing that the teachings discovered from this report are embedded throughout the Trust to enhance our providers.”