Also known as: Collapsed lung
18-year-old gunshot wound victim presents with tension pneumothorax requiring emergency needle decompression in the ambulance bay. The bullet lodges in paraspinal muscles but is deemed safe to leave in place.
Also known as: Underdeveloped left heart
8-month-old with congenital heart defect requiring heart transplant. Develops pleural effusion requiring thoracentesis, deteriorates throughout the episode with cardiac arrest, awaiting donor heart match.
Also known as: Botulism poisoning
3-month-old infant stops nursing and develops progressive muscle weakness and respiratory distress. Diagnosed with infant botulism from soil exposure during tummy time at the park. Requires intubation and becomes a potential organ donor before diagnosis is confirmed.
Also known as: Prolactinoma
Homeless man presenting with falls has large pituitary tumor pressing on optic chiasm causing legal blindness for over a decade. Initially thought to have psychiatric disorder due to confabulated memories, but symptoms explained by visual impairment causing him to live in past memories.
Also known as: GSW to chest
44-year-old woman struck by stray bullet during gang violence while watching TV with her children. Requires emergency thoracotomy in the ED but dies despite resuscitation efforts.