Also known as: Parasites in the brain
A 29-year-old kindergarten teacher presents with progressive neurological symptoms including seizures, loss of speech, and declining mental status. Initially misdiagnosed as a brain tumor, House ultimately determines she has neurocysticercosis - tapeworm larvae in her brain from undercooked pork consumption. The diagnosis is confirmed via X-ray of her leg showing larval cysts, and she is successfully treated with albendazole.
Also known as: Muscle death
House reveals his backstory of having a muscle infarction in his thigh muscles that was misdiagnosed, leading to muscle death and chronic pain requiring a cane. This establishes his disability as a recurring character element and explains his cynicism about diagnostic errors.
Also known as: Orange skin from excess carrots and vitamins
A clinic patient presents with back pain but House notices his orange-colored skin. House diagnoses carotenemia from excessive carrot consumption combined with niacin supplements, using this as evidence the man's wife is having an affair since she hasn't noticed his color change.
A clinic patient brings her 10-year-old child with asthma. The mother is concerned about steroid inhaler use, and House explains the pathophysiology of asthma and the necessity of corticosteroid treatment to prevent airway damage.