Also known as: Brain attack
A four-year-old boy presents with stroke symptoms after hitting his head on a trampoline two days prior. Initially thought to be from head trauma, but later revealed to be caused by moyamoya disease.
Also known as: Puff of smoke disease
The correct diagnosis for Nathan's stroke - a rare condition where narrowed carotid arteries reduce blood flow to the brain, causing abnormal vessel development that appears like a 'puff of smoke' on imaging. Requires double-barrel vascular bypass surgery.
Initial misdiagnosis for Nathan's condition, leading to unnecessary chemotherapy treatment before moyamoya disease was correctly identified.
Also known as: Calcified pericardium constricting the heart
Jordan's grandmother presents with severely calcified pericardium from prior chest radiation, causing heart failure. The pericardium is so hardened it cannot be pierced with standard surgical tools, requiring the 'waffle procedure' to score the calcified shell.
Also known as: Heart perforation
Surgical complication during attempted pericardiotomy when the calcified pericardium cannot be pierced safely, resulting in accidental perforation of the heart muscle.
Also known as: Heroin addiction
Dr. Perez's ongoing recovery arc is featured as he attends daily Narcotics Anonymous meetings, causing him to be late to work. He eventually starts his own NA meeting at the hospital.