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Grey's Anatomy

Grey's AnatomyABC

Season 8, Episode 20

10 medical diagnoses portrayed

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Also known as: Skull fracture

Holly sustained a temporal bone fracture from her fall down the ravine, requiring a middle fossa surgical approach by Dr. Shepherd to address the injury.

Grey's Anatomy — S08E20Patient: Holly Wheeler
Graft infectionHemorrhageCardiac arrest

Holly had an aneurysm in her celiac artery requiring surgical graft placement. The graft became infected post-operatively, leading to a life-threatening leak and multiple arrests requiring emergency reoperation.

Grey's Anatomy — S08E20Patient: Holly Wheeler
Hypothermiasupporting

Also known as: Cold exposure

Holly suffered from hypothermia after being exposed to the elements at the bottom of a ravine before being rescued by hikers.

Grey's Anatomy — S08E20Patient: Holly Wheeler
Frostbitesupporting

Also known as: Frostbite

Holly sustained frostbite injuries from prolonged exposure to cold temperatures while stranded in the ravine.

Grey's Anatomy — S08E20Patient: Holly Wheeler
Tibial fracturesupporting

Also known as: Broken leg

Holly had a displaced tibial fracture from her fall down the ravine, discovered on initial trauma imaging.

Grey's Anatomy — S08E20Patient: Holly Wheeler
Rib fracturesupporting

Also known as: Broken rib

Holly sustained multiple rib fractures during her fall, though her lungs remained uninjured.

Grey's Anatomy — S08E20Patient: Holly Wheeler

Also known as: Old broken bones

Malunion

X-rays revealed numerous old fractures throughout Holly's body that had healed improperly or were never treated, indicating a history of chronic physical abuse during her captivity. These included forearm, humerus, and elbow injuries requiring surgical correction by Dr. Torres.

Grey's Anatomy — S08E20Patient: Holly Wheeler

An old pelvic avulsion fracture was discovered during Holly's workup, which she reported may have occurred after a forced pregnancy and stillbirth during her captivity.

Grey's Anatomy — S08E20Patient: Holly Wheeler

Also known as: PTSD

Holly exhibits severe psychological trauma from 12 years of captivity, abuse, and brainwashing. She struggles with trust, has conflicted feelings about her captor, and has difficulty reconnecting with her biological parents. Dr. Fincher provides ongoing psychiatric care.

Grey's Anatomy — S08E20Patient: Holly Wheeler

Also known as: Early-onset Alzheimer's

Adele's Alzheimer's disease has progressed to the point where she no longer recognizes her husband Richard and has formed a relationship with another patient, Allan, who also has advanced Alzheimer's.

Grey's Anatomy — S08E20Patient: Adele Webber
Recurring storyline