Also known as: H.H. tumor
A teenager with a hypothalamic hamartoma causing frequent seizures. Derek proposes a novel transcallosal approach to remove the entire tumor, which carries higher risks but offers better outcomes than the standard subfrontal approach. After demonstrating the feasibility, he successfully removes all of the tumor.
Also known as: Blocked arteries
A patient undergoing angioplasty performed by Cristina to clear blocked coronary arteries. Teddy uses this case to teach Cristina about respect for cardiovascular disease and going back to basics.
Also known as: Torn aorta
A sanitation worker who fell from a garbage truck and was hit by a car. During hand surgery, he develops cardiac tamponade from an aortic dissection that likely caused his initial fall. April performs an emergency thoracotomy and the team repairs the aorta with a graft.
Also known as: Crushed hand
The same patient has severe hand injuries with pulverized bones, extensive nerve and tissue damage. Callie performs reconstructive surgery using titanium mesh and hardware to rebuild the hand and save the fingers, which is particularly important as he is a wood carving artist.
Also known as: Diabetes
A trial patient with a failing islet cell device that requires resuming daily testing. Meredith discovers that Ellis Grey's original hypothesis was wrong about oxygen delivery to islet cells, potentially solving why the devices are failing.
Referenced throughout the episode as Meredith and Derek await a court hearing for Zola's adoption. Alex advocates for her medical needs to a judge, emphasizing that she needs stable parents and shouldn't be in foster care.
A mother of a preemie complaining of chest pains, suspected to be postpartum cardiomyopathy. Teddy is consulted and transfers her to telemetry for monitoring.
Also known as: Prostate cancer
A judge undergoing chemotherapy for prostate cancer. Alex encounters him while trying to advocate for Zola's adoption case.