Also known as: Rat lice-borne typhus
The patient, a soldier charged with treason for leaking a military video, presents with seizures and multiple symptoms. After ruling out various conditions including sarcoidosis, Bernard Soulier syndrome, Graves disease, and malaria, House determines the patient contracted typhus from rat lice in Afghan furniture, which explains his vasculitis and all other symptoms.
Also known as: Seizure
The patient's presenting symptom that led to his admission. Initially thought to be faked to avoid prison, but later confirmed as real and ultimately explained by typhus infection.
Also known as: DVT
The team initially suspects and tests for blood clots in the patient's leg, using a placebo test to determine if symptoms are genuine. Later ruled out as part of the diagnostic process.
Also known as: Enlarged spleen
The patient develops an enlarged spleen with nodules that sequester platelets, leading to dangerous bleeding. Emergency surgery is performed to squeeze the spleen and release platelets. The nodules are later identified as granulomas.
Also known as: Brain dysfunction from liver failure
House's team suspects he has hepatic encephalopathy due to years of Vicodin abuse, manifesting as forgetfulness, inattention, unsteady hands, and losing a video game. They conduct stool tests and find evidence of liver dysfunction. House ultimately reveals he faked the symptoms to test his team's loyalty.
A clinic patient's nose-picking habit (rhinotillexomania) leads to an infection in the cavernous sinus, causing dizziness during a first date. Brief case used to demonstrate House's diagnostic abilities.
Also known as: Yellow food dye allergy
A college student presenting with blurry vision, headache, nausea and dizziness after drinking beer is diagnosed with intolerance to tartrazine (yellow food dye) in green beer. Brief clinic case.