Also known as: Fluid around the heart
Patient presents with traumatic pericardial effusion following blunt chest trauma sustained in an altercation on a bus. The effusion causes cardiac tamponade with hypotension, requiring emergent pericardiocentesis. The case is complicated by the patient's dissociative identity disorder, with different personalities refusing and accepting treatment at different times.
Also known as: Multiple personality disorder
Patient displays multiple distinct personalities during treatment - Willis (the host personality), Clyde (aggressive and treatment-refusing alter), and Andre (child alter afraid of his father). Medical history reveals childhood abuse with multiple old fractures, burns, and scars. The DID significantly complicates obtaining consent for the life-saving pericardiocentesis procedure.
Also known as: Enlarged heart
Patient found to have an enlarged heart (approximately twice normal size) contributing to his shortness of breath and congestion, initially misattributed to flu-like symptoms.
Also known as: Chest injury
Patient sustained blunt trauma to the chest during an altercation on a bus, which led to the traumatic pericardial effusion requiring intervention.
Also known as: Broken nose
Patient presents with broken nose and nosebleed after getting into a physical altercation with another passenger on a bus.
Also known as: Full-thickness burns
Patient arrives with third-degree burns to the hands from hot oil, requiring emergency treatment.
Patient presents with a two-week rash caused by enalapril (blood pressure medication). The case highlights community drug-sharing practices and lack of access to healthcare. Patient had been taking someone else's blood pressure medication for 10 years through an informal church drug-exchange program.