Richard Webber suffers a public episode at a medical conference and is admitted to Grey Sloan for workup of rapidly worsening cognitive symptoms. The entire hospital staff works to diagnose his condition, ruling out stroke, Alzheimer's, Lewy body dementia, and other causes, but the underlying cause remains unknown by episode's end.
Also known as: Brain tumor with spread to spine
10-year-old Guthrie presents with a primary medulloblastoma in his brain that has metastasized to his cervical spine at C3. He collapsed during pastry class and requires surgery to remove both the primary tumor and spinal metastasis. The case is emotionally significant as he resembles Tom Koracick's deceased son David.
Also known as: Broken foot
Professor Vera Katano sustains a Lisfranc injury with fractured first and second metatarsals when a heavy textbook falls on her foot. Surgery is successful, but she develops the rare complication of musicophilia (constant singing) post-operatively, followed by a life-threatening tension pneumothorax.
Also known as: Musical hallucinations
After foot surgery, Vera develops musicophilia, a rare neurological phenomenon where she compulsively hears music and sings continuously. The condition is described as exceedingly rare and eventually resolves.
Also known as: Collapsed lung
Following her foot surgery, Vera develops a tension pneumothorax, likely from intubation. She becomes hypoxic and tachycardic and requires emergency needle decompression.
Also known as: Air bubbles in blood vessels
During brain tumor surgery, Guthrie develops an intraoperative air embolism causing his blood pressure to crash. Tom Koracick must perform emergency measures including Trendelenburg positioning and aspiration through central line to prevent stroke.
Also known as: Practice contractions
During Guthrie's brain surgery, Amelia experiences what she believes to be true labor contractions but are diagnosed as Braxton Hicks (false labor). She is near term in her pregnancy and the incident heightens anxiety about becoming a parent.