Also known as: SSPE
A 16-year-old lacrosse player presents with double vision, night terrors, myoclonic jerks, and progressive neurological symptoms. After ruling out concussion, MS, and neurosyphilis, the team discovers he has SSPE - a rare, delayed complication of measles infection from infancy. The diagnosis is only made after discovering he was adopted and his biological mother was likely unvaccinated, leaving him vulnerable to measles before his own vaccination at 6 months.
Also known as: Water on the brain
Dan's cerebrospinal fluid blockage causes increased intracranial pressure and bowing of the corpus callosum visible on MRI. The team surgically places a ventricular shunt, which later becomes crucial for delivering high-dose intraventricular interferon treatment for SSPE.
Also known as: The clap
House diagnoses a litigious patient with an infected knee with gonorrhea as leverage to prevent the patient from suing him. The diagnosis is confirmed by lab work.