Also known as: Head trauma
Young woman on first date suffers severe head trauma in motor vehicle collision, starring the windshield. Presents with GCS 3, requiring intubation and emergency surgical intervention for intra-abdominal bleeding.
Also known as: Ruptured spleen
Patient develops hemoperitoneum from traumatic splenic injury requiring emergency splenectomy. Free fluid found on ultrasound with hemodynamic instability necessitating immediate surgical intervention.
Also known as: Ruptured intestinal bruise
Patient develops deep bruising around intestine from seatbelt injury during crash. Initially managed conservatively but hematoma ruptures causing abdominal pain and bleeding, requiring emergency surgery to repair duodenal perforation.
Also known as: Broken arm
Patient sustains two-bone distal forearm fracture with moderate displacement requiring surgical plating. Patient initially refuses surgery but fracture is part of larger storyline about his motivation for crime.
Also known as: Lung cancer
Patient has known 2cm mass in left lung lobe with associated hemoptysis. Diagnosis revealed as motivation for committing carjacking - to get arrested and receive free cancer treatment in prison. Wife unaware of diagnosis.
Also known as: Bone marrow failure
Teenage patient with 10-year history of aplastic anemia finally receives bone marrow transplant after hospital initially shuts it down due to legal concerns about donor compensation. Develops complications requiring urgent transplant approval.
Also known as: Staph heart infection
Immunosuppressed transplant patient develops life-threatening staph infection of heart muscle causing cardiovascular collapse. Controlled temporarily with antibiotics but requires transplant to eradicate infection permanently.
Also known as: Stroke
Homeless man presents with frostbite from giving away belongings. CT reveals prior frontal lobe stroke causing pathologically generous behavior and impaired judgment. Suffers second more severe stroke during episode requiring nursing home placement.
Also known as: Frostbite
Patient develops frostbite on feet after giving away winter boots to another person at homeless shelter, illustrating his compulsive generosity from neurological condition.
Also known as: Infected elbow
Attending surgeon develops infected elbow bursa after banging it in Orlando, requiring drainage and antibiotics. Condition affects her ability to operate and creates interpersonal conflict.
Also known as: High blood pressure emergency
Hospital legal counsel develops severe hypertension with headaches during stressful transplant ethics case, requiring nipride drip to control blood pressure.