Medical Diagnoses in Grey's Anatomy: A Comprehensive Review of Medical Conditions in Season 12
- 24 oct
- 16 Min. de lectura
Season 12 of Grey's Anatomy marked a new chapter for Grey Sloan Memorial, navigating a post-Derek Shepherd world and forcing the surgeons, especially Meredith, to redefine their lives and careers. The season was characterized by high-intensity cases that tested the boundaries of modern medicine and the resilience of the doctors themselves. From a catastrophic "wishbone" pelvic injury and a groundbreaking 3D-printed sternum to the personal horror of Meredith's violent assault by a patient, the medical storylines were deeply intertwined with themes of recovery, innovation, and the immense psychological toll of the job.
Content ⁉️
Episode 1: "Sledgehammer"
Polytrauma with Catastrophic Wishbone Injury
Two teenage girls, Jessica and Aliyah, were struck by a train in a joint suicide pact.
Aliyah's injuries were catastrophic, including a severe "wishbone injury"—a pelvic fracture that "split her insides apart" and tore one leg completely away. During surgery, she began bleeding out from a lacerated pulmonary artery. An attending surgeon, Dr. Tracy McConnell, advised an immediate sternotomy to gain control, and the laceration was repaired with a pericardial patch.
Jess sustained a hemothorax, internal bleeding requiring an ex-lap, and multiple leg fractures that needed immediate surgery to prevent loss of use.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Hemothorax: Blood in the chest cavity, requiring a chest tube.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Investigated in Aliyah due to sluggish pupils.
Lacerated Pulmonary Artery: The critical vascular injury that nearly killed Aliyah.
Open Cholecystectomy: A gallbladder removal for a patient in severe pain.
Episode 2: "Walking Tall"
Pituitary Tumor and Complicated Spinal Fracture
Jade Bell (7'2") presented with a headache and blurry vision after fainting. Dr. Bailey diagnosed a pituitary adenoma (tumor) that was secreting 16 times the normal amount of growth hormone. The fall also caused an unstable spinal fracture. Positioning her for a craniotomy would have caused paralysis, so a complex combined procedure was planned. Dr. Shepherd removed the tumor via an endonasal approach while Dr. Pierce simultaneously repaired the spine. During the procedure, the left carotid artery was struck, but Dr. Avery improvised a repair using a muscle patch and glue.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome): A highly contagious illness suspected in a patient with a rash and fever, which turned out to be Contact Dermatitis.
Carotid Artery Bleed: The life-threatening complication during the pituitary surgery.
Endonasal Approach: The surgical route through the nose to the pituitary.
Episode 3: "I Choose You"
Hepatoblastoma in Newborn Twins
Newborn twins, Emma and Daniel, were diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma, an aggressive liver cancer, which was already causing early heart and renal failure. Both required liver transplants, but only one living donor (the father, Mason) was a match. Dr. Karev was forced to choose which twin would receive the liver. He opened both babies in the OR and gave the liver to Emma, whose case appeared stronger. He then attempted a primary resection on Daniel. Emma's transplant was a "perfect anastomosis" and she recovered. Tragically, Daniel's hepatic vein began leaking during the resection, and he arrested and died.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Hepatoblastoma: The aggressive liver cancer affecting both twins.
Jaundice and Respiratory Distress: The presenting symptoms in the newborns.
Renal Failure: A complication of the tumor invasion in both babies.
Primary Resection: The attempted procedure to save Daniel's original liver.
Episode 4: "Old Time Rock and Roll"
Post-Craniotomy Recovery: Early Ambulation Protocol
Rachel Bishop (32) was one day post-op from a decompressive craniotomy. Dr. Shepherd initiated an aggressive early ambulation protocol, based on new studies suggesting it leads to faster recovery. This involved pushing the patient to her "point of intolerance," which caused severe distress and vomiting, but ultimately led to her taking her first steps.
Fatal Drug Interaction During "Silver Flood"
A "silver flood" mass casualty event (a shuttle bus crash of senior citizens) brought in multiple trauma victims.
Gabby Margraff was diagnosed with a diaphragmatic rupture and a splenic hematoma, requiring immediate surgery.
Eddie Squire presented with chest pains. He vehemently denied taking E.D. medication. When he was given nitroglycerin, his blood pressure "bottomed out," indicating a dangerous drug interaction. He went into cardiac arrest and died.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Decompressive Craniotomy: The procedure to relieve pressure on the brain.
Early Ambulation Protocol: The aggressive new recovery protocol for neuro patients.
Drug Interaction (Nitroglycerin & ED medication): The fatal combination that killed Eddie Squire.
Episode 5: "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner"
Fatal Traumatic Brain Injury and Medical Mismanagement
This episode revisits the death of Dr. Derek Shepherd from the perspective of Dr. Penny Blake, the resident who treated him at Dillard Medical Center. She recounts the critical diagnostic failure: Derek presented as a "John Doe" trauma with a flail chest and a brain bleed. Penny recognized he needed a head CT, but her attending, fearing he would "bottom out in the scanner" due to a suspected abdominal bleed, rushed him to an exploratory laparotomy instead. The delayed diagnosis of the internal head trauma and the late arrival of the on-call neurosurgeon made the brain injury non-survivable.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) and STD Screening
Dr. Maggie Pierce presented with a "raging UTI," fearing it could be an STD like chlamydia or gonorrhea after having sex with an intern. She requested a full STD panel and was provisionally treated for a UTI.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Flail Chest: One of Derek's presenting injuries.
Missed Brain Bleed: The fatal diagnostic error in Derek's case.
UTI (Urinary Tract Infection): Maggie's painful diagnosis.
Episode 6: "The Me Nobody Knows"
Ollier's Disease with Precancerous Transformation
Kamal, a young boy from Jordan, was diagnosed with Ollier's Disease, a rare skeletal disorder causing multiple cartilaginous tumors. His case was advanced, with massive tumors in both hands. A biopsy confirmed precancerous cells. Dr. Avery initially recommended bilateral amputation, but was convinced to attempt a salvage procedure. He performed a debulking and complex reconstruction using rib grafts to rebuild viable carpal and metacarpal bones.
Grade IV Renal Trauma
Robert Matthews, a pastor, fell down two flights of stairs. A CT scan revealed retroperitoneal fluid around his right kidney, diagnosed as a Grade IV kidney injury with active extravasation (bleeding). He underwent a partial nephrectomy. A post-op clot in his Foley catheter caused his bladder to nearly rupture, requiring an emergency flush.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Ollier's Disease: The rare skeletal disorder causing multiple enchondromas.
Grade IV Kidney Injury: A severe renal trauma with active bleeding.
Partial Nephrectomy: The surgical repair to save the kidney.
Clot in Foley Catheter: A post-op complication that caused bladder distension.
Episode 7: "Something Against You"
End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and Osteosarcoma
Simon Jaffee was admitted for a kidney transplant, requiring a rare six-antigen match. During his pre-op workup, a mass on his head, which he thought was a cyst, was diagnosed as Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) involving the frontal and occipital bone. This cancer diagnosis would normally disqualify him from the transplant. In an innovative solution, surgeons performed a combined kidney transplant and a skull and scalp transplant from the same perfect-match donor, successfully treating both conditions at once.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Osteosarcoma: The bone cancer found on Simon's skull.
Dual Transplant (Kidney and Skull/Scalp): The innovative solution using a single perfect-match donor.
Foreign Body Ingestion: A patient with intellectual disabilities swallowed a blinking ball.
Bowel Perforation (Risk): The battery in the swallowed ball was leaking acid.
Episode 8: "Things We Lost in the Fire"
Penetrating Cardiac Trauma (Ruptured Heart Wall)
A massive wildfire sent over 40 injured firefighters to the hospital. The most critical was John, Dr. Hunt's mother's boyfriend. He had fallen into a ravine and was impaled on a steel spike, which was acting as a plug. He had blood in his pericardium. In the OR, the injury was found to be a rupture in the heart wall. The tear was successfully repaired with a pledgeted stitch, and the patient survived.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Second, third, and fourth-degree burns: Classifications of severe thermal injuries from the fire.
Smoke inhalation: A widespread respiratory injury among the firefighters.
Abdominal Pedicle Flap: A living graft planned to reconstruct a full-thickness burn on a patient's hand and forearm.
Rhabdomyolysis (Rhabdo): Muscle breakdown complications leading to arrhythmias.
Episode 9: "The Sound of Silence"
Severe Blunt Force Trauma (Dr. Meredith Grey)
Dr. Meredith Grey was violently assaulted by a patient, Lou, who was in a postictal state following a tonic-clonic seizure (caused by an epidural hematoma). Meredith's injuries were severe and extensive:
Thoracic Injuries: A 30% pneumothorax (lung collapse) requiring a chest tube, and multiple rib fractures with palpable crepitus.
Maxillofacial Trauma: A dislocated and possibly fractured jaw that had to be reduced for intubation and then wired shut.
Neurological Trauma: A positive Battle's sign (indicating a basilar skull fracture) and temporary deafness.
Other Injuries: A dislocated left elbow and local edema.
She was bedridden for weeks and required extensive recovery, including voice rest for a tracheal injury.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Epidural Hematoma: The diagnosis for the patient who attacked Meredith.
Tonic-Clonic Seizure: The neurological event that led to the postictal, hyper-aggressive state.
Pneumothorax: A 30% lung collapse sustained by Meredith.
Dislocated Jaw: Required reduction and wiring.
Temporary Deafness: A neurological consequence of the assault.
Episode 10: "All I Want Is You"
Chondrosarcoma (Recurrent Bone Cancer)
Maya Roberts (15) had a recurrence of chondrosarcoma, with tumors in her ribs and sternum. The conventional treatment was excision and reconstruction with titanium plates, which would require multiple revision surgeries as she grew. Drs. Pierce and Torres proposed a groundbreaking alternative: excising the tumors and replacing the bone with a 3D-printed, custom-built sternum and ribs. During the complex surgery, the implant didn't fit, requiring the team to retract her rib cage, risking a punctured lung or heart. The procedure was ultimately successful.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Chondrosarcoma: The type of bone cancer Maya had.
3D-printed reconstruction: The innovative custom-built sternum and ribs.
Deep Liver Laceration: A severe internal injury from an ambulance explosion.
Retrohepatic IVC Damage: A major vascular injury near the liver.
Episode 11: "Unbreak My Heart"
Severe Facial Trauma Requiring Extensive Reconstruction
This episode revisits the case of Tatiana, a patient who had acid thrown on her face. Her treatment spanned four years and 43 surgeries led by Dr. Avery. The case highlights her long and difficult journey, including setbacks like necrosis and the dying of a paramedian forehead flap. The final planned surgery was a nasal septum reconstruction.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
C6-C7 Unstable Fracture: A severe, unstable fracture in the cervical spine.
Necrosis: The death of tissue, which complicated the facial reconstruction.
Facial Reanimation Surgery: A specialized procedure to restore movement to the face.
Episode 12: "My Next Life"
New Onset Frontal Lobe Aneurysm
Katie Bryce, a patient from Season 1, returned with a new onset headache and transient numbness. The final diagnosis was a new, massive frontal lobe aneurysm, described as a "live grenade." Dr. Amelia Shepherd successfully clipped the fragile aneurysm, and the patient recovered with no neurological deficits.
Septicemia Secondary to Infected Portacath
Daphne, a patient who was 10 months cancer-free, presented with an infected portacath. Upon removal, the site bled profusely. Labs confirmed Septicemia with a Pseudomonas infection. Despite pressure and clotting factors, the sepsis caused her organs to fail, and she died.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH): Katie Bryce's original diagnosis from Season 1.
Septicemia: The body-wide infection that killed Daphne.
Pseudomonas: The specific bacteria identified in the infection.
Episode 13: "All Eyez on Me"
Osteosarcoma of the Pelvis and Sacrum
Sergeant Carson, a military patient, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma spanning his left pelvis, lumbar spine, and sacrum. Dr. Torres proposed a radical, multi-stage procedure: a hemipelvectomy (amputating the leg and half the pelvis) and using vascularized fibular grafts from the amputated leg to attach his remaining leg to his spine. When a pre-op fall fractured his pelvis, the team was forced to operate immediately. Dr. Torres innovated mid-procedure, using the patient's own femur as a replacement sacrum.
Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome
Maxine (17), a cheerleader, collapsed with a high pulse and dangerously elevated blood pressure. She was diagnosed with WPW syndrome, a congenital heart condition. Her acute event, triggered by stress, caused coronary artery spasming. She required cardioversion and an immediate cardiac ablation to correct the abnormal heart rhythm.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Hemipelvectomy: The amputation of the leg and half the pelvis.
Vascularized fibular grafts: The original plan for the spinal reconstruction.
Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome: The congenital heart condition causing arrhythmias.
Cardiac Ablation: The procedure to fix the WPW.
Episode 14: "Odd Man Out"
Fatal Intracranial Hemorrhage
Griffin McColl (75) was electrocuted after crashing his car. He required surgery for both a cracked skull and an erratic heart rhythm (requiring a pacemaker). Post-operatively, he exhibited confusion and memory loss. He then showed classic signs of raised ICP, including bradycardia and a dilated pupil. An emergency ventriculostomy (burr hole) was performed, but a re-bleed was discovered. He was diagnosed with brain death due to herniation.
Preterm Labor in Quadruplet Pregnancy
Courtney Hall, 23 weeks pregnant with quadruplets, went into preterm labor. Dr. Robbins proposed a high-risk delayed interval delivery: she delivered "Baby C" (Charles), cut his umbilical cord, and re-sewed the cervix shut, leaving the other three fetuses inside to continue gestating.
Investigation of Fetal Osteogenesis Imperfecta (O.I.)
April Kepner, 12 weeks pregnant, was urged to undergo testing for Osteogenesis Imperfecta (O.I.) due to her history. She refused testing, traumatized by her previous loss.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Electrocution: The cause of Mr. McColl's injuries.
Delayed interval delivery: The experimental procedure to save the remaining quadruplets.
Osteogenesis Imperfecta (O.I.): The genetic condition April was being tested for.
Episode 15: "I Am Not Waiting Anymore"
Shone's Complex
An abandoned baby, "Oscar," was found with a weak pulse and low oxygen saturation. He had evidence of prior heart surgeries. A cardiac cath confirmed a coarctation of the aorta, a parachute mitral valve, and a supravalvular mitral ring. This "trifecta" was diagnosed as Shone's Complex. His mitral valve then "blew," leading to flash pulmonary edema and V-fib, but he was stabilized with cardioversion.
Byler's Disease and Innovative Biliary Diversion
Jared Cole had Byler's disease, a progressive liver condition. To avoid a transplant, he needed a biliary diversion. Dr. Karev proposed an innovative revision: using the appendix instead of the intestine to create the stoma (cutaneous end-stoma), a simpler procedure with a faster recovery.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Shone's Complex: The rare combination of three specific congenital heart defects.
Byler's Disease: A progressive liver disease.
Cutaneous end-stoma using the appendix: Karev's innovative biliary diversion.
Arthrogryposis: A condition causing severe joint contractures and pain.
Episode 16: "When It Hurts So Bad"
Fetus in Fetu
Greg, a patient with ten years of chronic pain, was diagnosed with fetus in fetu—he had absorbed his undeveloped twin in utero. The "massive" mass contained a leg, a spinal column, a lung, and a tooth, and derived its blood supply from the renal artery. He consented to its removal after Dr. Webber promised he could keep the "little twin" in a jar.
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)
Dr. Yang's clinical trial for HLHS focused on creating a printable conduit from a re-engineered portal vein. Sheryll Jeffries (17), who was pregnant and had a failed conduit, was deemed too old for the pediatric trial criteria.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Fetus in Fetu: The rare condition of an absorbed twin.
3D-printed conduit: The focus of the HLHS clinical trial.
Transoral fundoplication: A minimally invasive procedure for reflux.
Episode 17: "I Wear the Face"
Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
Evelyn Hunt, Owen's mother, was admitted after a fall. Her report of dizziness before the fall led to further investigation. Her condition deteriorated rapidly, and she was diagnosed with a Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA); the earlier symptoms were a sentinel bleed. Her "lucky fall" got her to the hospital just in time for a successful repair.
Chronic Liver Disease and Cholangitis
Danny (17), a patient with a history of biliary atresia and chronic liver rejection, developed cholangitis. He insisted on a risky surgery to re-create his biliary tree. Dr. Grey attempted a hepatico-jejunostomy and placed a shunt, but the anastomosis leaked, and he died from complications.
Sinus Leeches
Andrea presented with a persistent headache and nosebleeds after a trip to China. Examination revealed the cause was not an infection, but a leech living in her sinuses, which Dr. Hunt successfully extracted.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Biliary Atresia: Danny's underlying congenital condition.
Cholangitis: The acute infection of the bile duct.
Hepatico-jejunostomy: The high-risk procedure attempted on Danny.
Sinus Leeches: The parasitic "critter" found in Andrea's nose.
Autism: The focus of a neurosurgical research study on rats.
Episode 18: "There's a Fine, Fine Line"
Multiple Gunshot Wounds Leading to Traumatic Brain Death and Organ Donation
Two police officers, Pete and Brett Gibson, were admitted with multiple GSWs.
Pete Gibson suffered a GSW to the trachea and multiple GSWs to the chest and abdomen. He suffered a traumatic arrest, and after 14 minutes, he was declared brain dead.
Brett Gibson also had GSWs to the neck and abdomen. He suffered a large stroke during surgery, which also resulted in brain death.
Jared (15), the suspect, was also admitted with GSWs and a completely avulsed liver, requiring an immediate transplant. Dr. Bailey convinced the officers' mother to make a directed donation of Brett's liver to Jared.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
GSW to the trachea: The specific injury requiring an emergency cricothyrotomy.
Traumatic arrest: Cardiac arrest caused directly by severe physical trauma.
Avulsed liver: The liver was torn away from its blood supply.
Directed donation: The organ donation from Brett to Jared.
Episode 19: "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)"
Spondylolisthesis/Severe Spinal Misalignment
Marissa McKay, a junior golfer, presented with severe lower back pain, dismissed as growing pains. X-rays revealed a severe spinal misalignment (spondylolisthesis). During surgery, a rod slipped, causing a complete loss of spinal cord function. Dr. Torres was called in for an emergency anterior stabilization, drilling through the sacrum to anchor L5 to S1. Her spine was realigned, but she would never play golf competitively again.
Traumatic Penile Amputation
Thomas Archibald, a chef, suffered a traumatic penile amputation inflicted by his wife. Dr. Catherine Avery was called in to perform the microvascular reattachment, which included using a saphenous vein graft to ensure profuse blood flow. The surgery was "impeccable," with a good prognosis for regaining function.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Spondylolisthesis: The severe "zigzag" misalignment of the spine.
Phalloplasty: The surgical reattachment of the penis.
Saphenous vein graft: Used to provide blood flow to the neophallus.
Episode 20: "Trigger Happy"
Gunshot Wound to the Abdomen leading to Spinal Cord Injury
Brandon (8) was admitted with a GSW to the abdomen from an accidental shooting. The bullet had penetrated his spinal cord, shattering his L1 vertebra and leaving fragments in the spinal canal. During surgery to decompress the cord, he went into V-tach and V-fib, requiring defibrillation while his spine was exposed. Although he survived, it was determined to be very unlikely he would ever walk again.
Hepatic Adenoma
Sheila Davis was scheduled for a laparoscopic resection of a 5-centimeter hepatic adenoma. The tumor was benign, but she had falsely told her online boyfriend it was malignant to elicit sympathy.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Spinal Shock: The initial presentation indicating spinal cord involvement.
L1 Vertebra Shattered: The specific spinal injury.
Hepatic Adenoma: A benign tumor of the liver.
Episode 21: "You're Gonna Need Someone on Your Side"
Recurrence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)
Tommy, the premature infant, had a recurrence of his necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). X-rays confirmed the suspicion. During surgery, it was determined that almost his entire bowel was necrotic and there was "nothing else to be done." The decision was eventually made to withdraw life support, and he passed away.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Stomach Flu: A character received IV fluids for this while studying for their boards.
Suspected Intra-abdominal Hemorrhage: Indicated by a rigid abdomen in a trauma victim.
Vascular Graft Leak: A post-op complication where a graft failed, causing internal bleeding.
Episode 22: "Mama Tried"
Uterine Perforation and Amniotic Fluid Leak
The main medical crisis involved Jenny, a patient 24 weeks pregnant, who was admitted after falling on dishes. An ultrasound revealed free fluid in her abdomen, which was confirmed to be amniotic fluid. The diagnosis was a perforated uterus. Given the baby's 24-week gestation, the perforation made the pregnancy non-viable.
Initially, an OB on call attempted an experimental repair using a plasma patch to seal the leak. However, the patient continued to leak, and the fetal heart rate showed decreased variability, prompting the decision for an immediate C-section. Dr. Arizona Robbins intervened, stopping the delivery due to the baby's low odds of survival (compromised lungs and brain bleed risk). Dr. Robbins performed an emergency amnioinfusion, refilling the depleted uterus with Lactated Ringer's solution to "put that baby back in." This gave the baby more time to gestate, as every additional week improved its chances of survival.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Fetal Complications Associated with Extreme Prematurity: The fetus faced risks of compromised lungs and a high risk of brain bleeds if delivered at 24 weeks.
Possible Meningitis: A suspected diagnosis for a patient who had passed out, prompting a stat CT scan.
Episode 23: "At Last"
Deep Brain Abscess Complicated by Ventricular Rupture
Kyle, who previously had an infected device removed from his brain, remained septic. A CT scan revealed a deep brain abscess in the periventricular area. During a high-risk (85% mortality) drainage procedure, the abscess ruptured into his ventricles. Despite irrigation, the patient deteriorated, herniated, and died from a brain infarction.
Rapidly Spreading Necrotizing Fasciitis
Rhys presented with a peritonsillar abscess after a strep throat infection. Imaging showed air pockets, and a CT confirmed a rapid progression to Necrotizing Fasciitis (Nec Fasc), which was spreading down his chest wall. He required immediate, extensive surgical debridement of the infected tissue from his pleural space and chest wall.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Strep Throat: The initial infection for Rhys.
Peritonsillar Abscess: The complication that led to the Nec Fasc.
Brain Infarction from Herniation: The cause of death for Kyle.
Episode 24: "Family Affair"
Footling Breech with Umbilical Cord Prolapse
Dr. April Kepner went into labor at a wedding. Dr. Ben Warren performed a pelvic exam and discovered a footling breech presentation and a prolapsed umbilical cord. With the baby's blood supply cut off and no time for an ambulance, Dr. Warren was forced to perform an emergency C-section in the house, using only a scalpel and ice for pain, successfully saving both mother and baby.
Dementia
An elderly patient, Louise, stabbed an intruder who turned out to be her son, Donnie. The underlying condition was dementia; she did not recognize him and was confused about her surroundings.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Footling Breech: The fetal presentation where the feet emerge first.
Prolapsed Umbilical Cord: An obstetric emergency where the cord descends before the baby, cutting off blood supply.
Emergency C-Section: The procedure performed by Ben in a non-sterile environment.
🔖 Key Takeaways
A Main Character's Trauma: The season's most harrowing medical event was Meredith Grey's own, who suffered a violent patient assault leading to multiple fractures, a dislocated jaw, a pneumothorax, and temporary deafness, forcing her colleagues to treat one of their own in a critical state.
Groundbreaking Orthopedic Innovation: Dr. Callie Torres pushed the limits of orthopedic surgery with a plan to treat a recurrent chondrosarcoma by implanting a 3D-printed, custom-built sternum and rib cage, a procedure designed to give a teenage patient a chance at a normal life.
The "Impossible" Neurosurgical Save: Dr. Amelia Shepherd faced one of her greatest challenges with a patient suffering from spinal epilepsy secondary to a brachial plexus avulsion, ultimately using a radiofrequency probe to burn the nerve endings in the spine and stop the debilitating pain.
Complex Fetal Medicine: The fetal surgery department tackled high-risk cases, including the delicate, staged repair of esophageal atresia in a neonate and the devastating diagnosis of a fatal Type II congenital disorder (Osteogenesis Imperfecta) for April and Jackson's baby.
Diagnostic Triumphs: The season featured several brilliant diagnostic "saves." Dr. Pierce identified a RAF1 genetic mutation as the cause of a 22-year-old's cardiomyopathy, a discovery that also solved the McNeil family case from Season 10. In another, Dr. Grey used a Foley catheter balloon as a life-saving tamponade for a ruptured pediatric abdominal mass.
