Also known as: Metal poisoning from hip replacement
Richard Webber's progressive cognitive decline, motor deficits, and neurological symptoms are discovered to be caused by cobalt poisoning from a deteriorating metal-on-metal hip replacement implanted three years prior. His cobalt level is 200 (normal is 8). Andrew DeLuca identifies the diagnosis, leading to emergency explantation and replacement of the toxic prosthesis.
Also known as: Facial paralysis syndrome
13-year-old Daya has Moebius syndrome, a rare congenital neurological condition causing facial paralysis and inability to express emotions through facial expressions. She undergoes bilateral gracilis muscle transfer to restore her ability to smile, overcoming her father's anxiety about the surgery.
Also known as: Blood around the heart
21-year-old minor league baseball pitcher suffers penetrating chest trauma when his baseball bat shatters during a game and impales his chest. Fragments pierce dangerously close to the left atrial appendage causing pericardial effusion, requiring surgical removal and repair with an atrial appendage clip.
Also known as: Nerve damage, numbness
Richard presents with numbness and tingling in his extremities, loss of motor function in his legs causing a fall, and increased sensitivity to pain. EMG testing confirms severe acute onset motor and sensory nerve degeneration, ultimately attributed to cobalt toxicity from his hip replacement.