A benign fibroma secreting human growth hormone (acting like insulin) causing severe hypoglycemia. The patient's immune system overreacted to the fibroma, attacking multiple organ systems including the brain, lungs, heart, and kidneys. This was the underlying cause of all his symptoms including the frontal lobe disinhibition.
Also known as: Loss of social filter
The patient lost his ability to filter thoughts before speaking, saying everything that came to mind without social inhibition. This was the presenting symptom that drove the episode's central conflict, causing him to insult his wife, daughter, and others. Later discovered to be caused by autoimmune attack on the cingulate gyrus secondary to Doege-Potter syndrome.
Also known as: Fluid in the lungs
The patient developed fluid accumulation in his lungs with high fever (103°F), requiring urgent diuresis with furosemide and morphine. This was part of the multi-organ autoimmune attack.
Also known as: Kidney failure
The patient's kidneys failed, requiring dialysis. This was part of the systemic autoimmune attack triggered by the fibroma.
Also known as: V-tach
The patient went into ventricular tachycardia post-surgery, requiring defibrillation. This occurred as part of the ongoing multi-organ involvement.
Also known as: Cold exposure
The patient's body temperature dropped dangerously low (94.5°F) after surgery, indicating damage to his thermoregulatory center. This suggested the brain damage was spreading.
Also known as: Schizoaffective disorder
Wilson's brother Danny has schizophrenia that started in his teenage years. He ran away from treatment years ago and was recently found homeless and placed in a psychiatric ward. This is a significant subplot exploring Wilson's guilt and family relationships.