Also known as: Heart valve infection
Patient is post-op day 6 from emergent tricuspid valve replacement due to endocarditis caused by intravenous drug use. The case reveals his substance abuse issues and leads to Wilson attempting to get him into rehab.
Also known as: Inherited high cholesterol
Patient with familial hypercholesterolemia requiring simultaneous heart and liver transplant. Goes into heart failure during the episode and undergoes emergency transplant surgery, which becomes central to the conflict between Meredith and Cristina.
Also known as: Kidney injury from bus accident
22-year-old patient injured in hang gliding accident with open tibia fracture and abdominal trauma. Discovered to be an extreme sports enthusiast compensating for childhood with aplastic anemia. Kidney cannot be saved, leading to discussion of sister's donation.
Also known as: Broken leg
Open tibia fracture from hang gliding accident, with evidence of previous fracture repair (rod in place from heli-skiing injury). Part of pattern of risk-taking behavior post-remission from aplastic anemia.
Also known as: Bone marrow failure
Patient's childhood diagnosis that required her parents to conceive a 'donor baby' sister. Now in remission, but the psychological impact drives her extreme risk-taking behavior and her sister's inability to say no to organ donation.
Also known as: Bladder blockage
Patient presents with severe penile swelling from multiple hornet stings (self-inflicted for sexual gratification), leading to urinary retention. Delayed catheterization results in bladder rupture requiring emergency surgery.
Also known as: Blown bladder
Complication from untreated urinary retention due to severe penile edema. Edwards' delayed intervention leads to bladder rupture, requiring Catherine Avery to perform emergency repair and highlighting Edwards' clinical error.
Also known as: Throat swelling
Massive penile swelling from multiple hornet stings, treated with IV Benadryl and steroids. The swelling prevents catheter placement and contributes to bladder rupture.
Also known as: Spinal AVM
Patient with spinal AVM discovered by Robbins at age 12, now requiring surgery. Derek performs the procedure as a teaching case for visiting neurosurgeons, demonstrating far lateral retroperitoneal approach.
Also known as: Electrocution
Webber continues recovery from electrocution, developing symptomatic pancreatic leak with elevated white count and abdominal distention. Catherine pushes him to be more proactive in his recovery rather than being coddled by staff.
Also known as: Cut
Zola sustains head laceration requiring two staples after falling off slide at day care. The injury forces Meredith to leave her transplant surgery, creating central conflict about balancing motherhood and surgical career.
Also known as: Heroin addiction
Patient's IV drug use caused his endocarditis and valve infection. Wilson attempts to get him into rehab, but he initially refuses, revealing pattern of broken promises and family estrangement.