Also known as: Heart failure from bulimia
A 32-year-old CEO presents with leg paralysis and pain, which progresses to severe congestive heart failure requiring emergency heart transplant. House discovers she has been secretly using ipecac to induce vomiting as part of her bulimia, which caused irreversible damage to her heart muscle. House must decide whether to disclose her psychiatric condition to the transplant committee, which would disqualify her from receiving a donor heart.
Also known as: Paralyzed vocal cord
A patient who had knee surgery a year ago lost the ability to speak due to iatrogenic vocal cord paralysis from intubation. House treats him with Botox injections for spastic dysphonia but the patient refuses to speak to maintain his malpractice settlement.
Also known as: Strep throat
Van Der Meer's son is diagnosed with strep throat in the clinic and treated with antibiotics. This case is used to connect House to the father's vocal cord paralysis issue.