Leigh Rodgers admitted herself to hospital after struggling to get a dentist appointment for weeks, but things took a tragic turn after a CT scan
A woman died from a rare allergic reaction after being taken to hospital with toothache, having struggled for weeks to secure a dental appointment. Leigh Rodgers, a 34-year-old kitchen designer at B&Q, had been enduring severe tooth pain that extended to her neck and chest for roughly two weeks.
She was admitted to the University Hospital of North Durham. Once there, she was evaluated for a tooth abscess and underwent a CT scan on March 7, 2024, to exclude Ludwig’s angina, a serious bacterial infection that can stem from a tooth infection.
Tragically, Leigh experienced an uncommon allergic response to the contrast dye used during the scan and died within 90 minutes. The inquest, held on February 19 this year at Crook Coroners’ Court, revealed that the CT scan did not indicate any signs of Ludwig’s angina.
Appointment backlogs
Pam Rodgers believed that if her daughter had managed to get a dental appointment sooner, she might still be alive as the scan to eliminate the possibility of infection would have been unnecessary. According to Leigh’s family, the mum-of-one from Stanhope, County Durham, faced difficulties obtaining an NHS dental appointment due to long waiting times and backlogs. Her partner Darren told the inquest she had “tried to get a dentist appointment, but couldn’t for weeks”.
Pam, a management consultant from West Auckland, claimed that the dangers of CT scans were not adequately communicated to her daughter and that there was no informed consent process. “Every time I close my eyes, I imagine my daughter in the coffin,” she said. “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.”
The inquest was also told she had called an ambulance after failing to secure a dentist’s appointment, reports Bristol Live. Leigh received an iodine-based contrast medium, a special dye to enhance visibility on scans, and went into anaphylactic shock.
Despite efforts to resuscitate her, she could not be saved. Senior assistant coroner Crispin Oliver ruled that Leigh died due to a fatal allergic reaction to the contrast medium used during a CT scan after she was admitted to hospital.
CT scan risks ‘rare’
NHS Direct has acknowledged there are associated risks with CT scans. Its website states: “Complications of a CT scan are rare. Some people can have an allergic reaction to the contrast medium (dye). This can cause weakness, sweating and difficulty breathing.
“You’ll be asked to wait at the hospital for up to 30 minutes after having the scan before you can go home if you had contrast medium.”
A spokesperson for the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust commented: “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 ensuring that the lessons learned from this report are embedded across the Trust to improve our services.”
Pam said: “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 were saying it was someone else at fault. But it should be a department-wide decision and not on individual doctors.”
