Also known as: Fungal brain infection
A blind diabetic accountant presents with disorientation, hallucinations, seizures, and tooth loss. Initially misdiagnosed as periodontitis and then Behcet's syndrome, the team ultimately discovers a rapidly spreading fungal infection (mucormycosis) that attacked his lungs and eyes. Treatment with amphotericin B saves his life but causes permanent hearing loss.
Also known as: Blood clot in the brain
A large clot discovered in the patient's brain that explained his initial disorientation, hallucinations, and seizures. Treatment with heparin caused a piece to break off and travel to his lungs. Ultimately determined to be secondary to the underlying mucormycosis infection.
Also known as: Diabetes
Pre-existing condition in the patient that compromised his immune system, making him particularly vulnerable to the aggressive fungal infection and contributing to his periodontal disease.
Also known as: Gum disease
Initially thought to be the primary diagnosis when the patient's teeth detached and lodged in his throat. The team treated it as a bacterial infection that progressed systemically, but this was a red herring - the severe presentation was actually due to the underlying mucormycosis.
Also known as: Drug-induced deafness
The high dose of amphotericin B required to treat the patient's mucormycosis causes permanent hearing loss, presenting the patient with the difficult choice of dying from the infection or living blind and deaf.