Also known as: Roundworm infection
A 7-year-old boy presents with weight loss and vomiting roundworms, diagnosed with parasitic ascariasis infection requiring antiparasitic treatment.
Also known as: Profound hearing loss
Peter Benton's son is diagnosed with severe-to-profound hearing loss. The episode focuses on the family's decision-making about treatment options including digital hearing aids versus cochlear implants, with insurance refusing to cover the $5000 hearing aid.
Also known as: Gunshot wound to the head
A 48-year-old intoxicated and combative male presents with a carving knife embedded in his forehead, penetrating the frontal sinuses and oropharynx but missing the eyes.
Also known as: Bone cancer
A 15-year-old soccer player suffers a severe leg fracture from simply kicking a ball. Biopsy reveals Ewing sarcoma, a malignant bone tumor. The episode focuses on the difficult discussion about amputation as the best treatment option, with the patient expressing she would rather die than lose her leg.
Also known as: Heart stopped
A 77-year-old woman found unconscious at home arrests en route to the ER, presenting in ventricular fibrillation. She is successfully resuscitated but is a documented DNR patient. The episode explores the ethical dilemma of having resuscitated a DNR patient, with her HMO refusing admission. She ultimately dies after being extubated per her wishes.
Also known as: Gunshot to the leg
A workplace bomber/hostage-taker with gunshot wounds to the neck and abdomen arrives covered in dynamite and chicken wire with eviscerated bowel. The dramatic case involves bomb squad assistance and emergency surgery while managing explosive devices wrapped around the patient's body.
Also known as: Severe asthma attack
A 260-pound patient in severe respiratory distress from status asthmaticus requires emergent intubation. The case is complicated by the patient's anatomy (large neck) making intubation difficult, requiring special technique and equipment.
Also known as: Horse intestinal blockage
A roping horse presents with colic and intestinal impaction. Mark Greene and Rachel treat the horse in the ER ambulance bay with mineral oil enema when the nearest large-animal veterinarian is two hours away, providing a lighter moment in the episode.