A Spanish doctor has come under scrutiny for a misdiagnosis that led to a teenage boy having to undergo surgery to remove a testicle, with the local medical board announcing new developments this week.
According to The Mirror, three years ago, Dr. Alicia Marton Martinez misdiagnosed a 14-year-old boy who reported pain in his genital area. She advised only ice packs and a basic prescription, dismissing the severity of his condition.
After following her instructions for nearly a week, the boy woke up one day to find his testicle swollen and in severe pain. His mother rushed him back to the clinic, but Dr. Martinez reportedly told them, “This is normal for young boys,” and again recommended the same treatment, showing impatience during the consultation.
It was only after the boy’s pain worsened that he was transferred to a larger hospital, where he was diagnosed with testicular torsion—a condition in which the spermatic cord twists, cutting off blood supply to the testicle. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.
Due to Dr. Martinez’s misdiagnosis, the boy missed the critical window for intervention and ultimately had to have one testicle removed. Medical board officials noted that if he had received prompt treatment, there was a 90% chance of saving the affected testicle.
After reviewing the case and the evidence, the medical board on November 10 concluded that Dr. Martinez exhibited serious medical negligence and will continue to investigate her shortcomings.
