Also known as: Water on the brain
Josephine, a 38-year-old woman in a coma for 22 years, presents with acute hydrocephalus causing seizures and bradycardia, requiring emergency EVD placement to drain fluid and prevent death.
Also known as: Persistent vegetative state
Josephine has been in a coma for 22 years following a traumatic car accident that caused severe brain hemorrhage. Her awakening becomes the central dramatic arc of the episode.
Also known as: Brain tumor
A 6-centimeter brain tumor is discovered that is paradoxically both waking Josephine from her coma (via electrical impulses to the thalamus) and killing her (by disrupting CSF flow). Requires emergency surgical resection.
Also known as: Head trauma
The original injury from 22 years ago: Josephine suffered severe brain hemorrhaging in a car accident that led to her prolonged coma despite surgical intervention.
Also known as: Self-harm through induced vomiting
A 12-year-old boy presents with vomiting blood. Investigation reveals he has been secretly taking ipecac to induce vomiting as a form of self-directed conversion therapy, attempting to condition himself against same-sex attractions.
Also known as: Esophageal tear
Multiple small tears in the lower esophagus discovered on endoscopy, caused by repeated self-induced vomiting over an extended period.
Also known as: GI bleed
Liam's presenting symptom - vomiting blood - resulting from esophageal damage due to chronic self-induced vomiting.