Also known as: HHT
A Marine veteran presents with chronic fatigue, joint pain, rashes, and recurrent infections initially attributed to Gulf War syndrome. His condition progressively worsens with hearing loss, lower limb paralysis, and severe anemia. House ultimately diagnoses hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, a genetic disorder causing abnormal blood vessel formation (AVMs) that explains all his symptoms including the paralysis from spinal AVM and infections from dirty blood bypassing lung filtration.
The patient develops severe halitosis and putrid discharge in his mouth during sleep monitoring. This opportunistic infection is later understood to be caused by his underlying vascular disorder allowing unfiltered blood to circulate.
Also known as: DI
A young woman with OCD who drinks massive amounts of water is diagnosed by House with diabetes insipidus caused by pituitary damage from a previous head injury, likely from gymnastics given her physical characteristics.
Also known as: Bladder blockage
House experiences urinary retention as a side effect of chronic Vicodin use, causing him significant discomfort throughout the episode until he self-catheterizes.