Medical Diagnoses in Grey's Anatomy: A Comprehensive Review of Medical Conditions in Season 15
- Nov 20
- 11 min read
Season 15 of Grey’s Anatomy, dubbed the "Season of Love," did not skimp on the medical drama. While relationships flourished and faltered, Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital saw an influx of rare pathologies and high-stakes trauma. This season introduced the hyperbaric medicine chamber, tackled the complexities of the broken US insurance system through pediatric oncology cases, and featured one of the most unique blood types in medical history.
Below is a comprehensive, episode-by-episode review of the medical cases, diagnoses, and treatments presented in Season 15.
Content ⁉️
Episode 1
Anti-rejection Medication Toxicity and Renal Failure
Cece Colvin
The season introduces Cece Colvin, a professional matchmaker and heart transplant recipient. Following a car accident caused by syncope (loss of consciousness), investigation revealed that her long-term anti-rejection medications had caused toxicity, leading to renal failure.
Treatment: Cece required a kidney transplant. While waiting for a donor, she underwent nightly peritoneal dialysis via a surgically inserted catheter.
Rectal Foreign Body Resulting in Explosive Injury
Roy
A patient presented with obstruction caused by a foreign body in the rectum. During an exploratory laparotomy to remove the object, identified as a can of aerosol hair spray, the device exploded.
Outcome: The intraoperative explosion caused massive hemorrhage and cardiac arrest. Despite defibrillation at 360 joules, the patient died.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Femoral Vein Clot: Diagnosed in Cece Colvin, ruling out pulmonary embolism despite her fears.
Open Femur Fracture: Significant orthopedic trauma from a bike accident.
Internal Injuries: Suspected in MVC victims with compromised vitals.
Episode 2
Necrotizing Fasciitis Treated in Hyperbaric Chamber
Nisha
A post-operative patient developed a spiked fever and sepsis. Cultures confirmed necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating bacterial infection.
Treatment: Dr. Jackson Avery performed urgent debridement inside the hyperbaric chamber to utilize high-flow oxygen for tissue preservation. The infection spread to her external fixator, requiring hardware removal. Tragically, she went into cardiac arrest and died.
End-Stage Cardiomyopathy and Renal Failure
Cece Colvin
Cece’s condition worsened with arrhythmias and hyperkalemia. Imaging revealed her heart was restricted by scar tissue, leading to a diagnosis of congestive heart failure compounded by her kidney failure. She was placed on the transplant list for both organs.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Skull Fracture with Hematoma: A motorcycle accident victim required surgical elevation of the fracture and evacuation of the bleed.
Ventricular Tachycardia (V-Tach): Arrhythmias observed in critically ill patients.
Episode 3
Auto-brewery Syndrome
Dave Buckley
A shop teacher presented with a high blood alcohol level after a table-saw accident, despite denying drinking. Dr. Webber diagnosed him with Auto-brewery Syndrome, a rare condition where intestinal yeast ferments carbohydrates into alcohol.
Treatment: Diagnosis confirmed the patient was not an alcoholic, allowing for proper management of the yeast overgrowth.
Peritonitis and Translumbar Dialysis Catheter
Cece Colvin
Cece developed peritonitis, rendering her peritoneal dialysis access unusable. With her central veins compromised from prior surgeries, Dr. Grey placed a translumbar catheter through the back to bypass the damaged veins and continue dialysis.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Partial Amputations: Surgical revision of fingers lost in a saw accident.
Hemothorax: Treated with a chest tube.
Esophageal Atresia: Mentioned as a congenital condition requiring follow-up.
Episode 4
Ventricular Septal Rupture (VSR)
Natalie Forrester
A patient collapsed after a fire evacuation. It was determined she had suffered a "silent" heart attack a week prior, leading to a Ventricular Septal Rupture (a hole in the wall separating the ventricles).
Treatment: The damage was too extensive for a simple patch. She received a temporary Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) but had a poor prognosis.
Pulmonary Bleb (Insurance Fraud Arc Begins)
Julius
A young patient required surgery for a pulmonary bleb exacerbated by smoke inhalation. Because his insurance would not cover the pre-existing condition, Dr. Karev intentionally inflicted a penetrating chest wound to classify the surgery as an emergency, ensuring coverage.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Ventricular Fibrillation: Resulting from the VSR.
Pleural Effusion: Fluid buildup around the lungs.
Episode 5
Malignant Osteochondroma (Ewing’s Sarcoma)
Rafi
An 11-year-old boy with hereditary osteochondromas was found to have a malignant Ewing’s Sarcoma in his scapula.
Innovation: Instead of amputation or dangerous systemic radiation, Dr. Avery and Dr. Lincoln removed the bone, treated it with extracorporeal radiation (radiating the bone outside the body), and re-implanted it to serve as a framework for new growth.
Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)
Nina (Ms. Sullivan)
A patient with chronic stomach pain, previously dismissed as anxiety, was diagnosed with MALS, where the median arcuate ligament compresses the celiac artery.
Treatment: A simple laparoscopic procedure to cut the ligament resolved the pain.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Heroin Overdose: Treated in the ER.
Asthma: A child requiring intubation after decompensating.
Episode 6
End-Stage Liver Disease (Wilson’s Disease)
Roberta Gibbs
A patient with Wilson’s disease needed a liver transplant. When the donor died of cardiac arrest (making the organ potentially unviable), Dr. Bailey used normothermic perfusion to "resuscitate" the liver outside the body before transplanting it.
Choledochal Cyst
Flor
A pediatric patient required a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy to remove a cyst in the biliary system that posed a cancer risk.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Osteosarcoma (Telangiectatic Subtype): Diagnosed in a child after a pathological fracture.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): Diagnosed in a doctor's relative.
Episode 7
Grade 3 Chondrosarcoma of the Spine
Catherine Fox
Catherine Fox was diagnosed with an aggressive chondrosarcoma invading her spine. The tumor was resistant to chemo and radiation, leaving surgery as the only option, despite the high risk of quadriplegia.
Wandering Spleen and Rupture
Frankie
A pregnant nurse presented with a wandering spleen (torsion). She initially refused surgery to protect her baby. The spleen eventually ruptured, leading to Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC).
Outcome: An emergency C-section saved the baby, but Frankie died in the OR.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC): Severe clotting/bleeding disorder.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Discussed regarding Jackson Avery.
Episode 8
Penetrating Brain Trauma (Selfie Stick)
Phoebe Moss
A patient arrived with a selfie stick impaled in her head during a windstorm. The object was tamponading her vertebral artery. Removal led to immediate herniation and brain death.
Outcome: Phoebe became an organ donor for Cece Colvin.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Vertebral Artery Tamponade: The mechanism keeping the patient alive initially.
Brain Herniation: Caused by removing the penetrating object.
Episode 9
Multi-Organ Failure and Elevator Trauma
Cece Colvin & Jed
During the windstorm, Cece underwent a heart and kidney transplant. Simultaneously, a maintenance worker named Jed suffered cardiac tamponade in a stalled elevator.
Treatment: Doctors performed an emergency non-sterile thoracotomy in the elevator using improvised tools (a license plate and medical tray) to relieve the tamponade. Jed later underwent limb salvage surgery for a comminuted femur fracture.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Bradycardia: Cece’s heart rate dropped during transplant.
Metabolic Acidosis: Indicated by high lactic acid levels.
Episode 10
Recurrent Vaginal Tumor (Pelvic Exenteration)
Uma Paxton
A patient required a pelvic exenteration (removal of rectum, bladder, and tumor) for recurrent cancer. The attempt to spare the uterus failed due to friable tissue from radiation, necessitating a full removal.
Toxic Megacolon
Claire
A patient who self-medicated with old antibiotics wiped out her gut flora, leading to toxic megacolon and bowel perforation.
Treatment: Subtotal colectomy with ileostomy.
Windswept Pelvis
Natasha
A trauma patient falling from a balcony sustained a windswept pelvis fracture (AP compression on one side, lateral on the other).
Treatment: Pelvic binding was contraindicated; surgery involved internal fixation. She suffered anoxic brain injury post-op.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Anoxic Brain Injury: Resulting from severe hemorrhage.
Paralytic Injection: Accidental administration of paralytics to a doctor.
Episode 11
Spinal Chondrosarcoma Resection
Catherine Fox
Surgeons performed a marathon surgery to remove Catherine’s spinal tumor. The mass was calcified and adhered to the brachial plexus.
Treatment: The team switched from a posterior to an anterior approach to remove the tumor piecemeal. They removed 95% of the cancer, leaving a small nodule to preserve arm function. Catherine survived but lives with residual cancer.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Lipoma: Mentioned as a simple surgical case.
Liver Disease: Reference to Meredith’s past liver donation.
Episode 12
Complex Multi-System Failure
Natasha Deon
Following her balcony fall, Natasha spent months in the ICU. She progressed from empyema and ventilation to being alert, only to regress with pneumonia, intra-abdominal abscesses, necrotic bowel, and kidney failure.
Outcome: After throwing a pulmonary embolism, she and her partner decided to withdraw care. She passed away shortly after a bedside wedding.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Empyema: Pus in the pleural space requiring drainage.
Pulmonary Embolism: The terminal event for the patient.
Episode 13
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Graft Failure
Kimberly Thompson
A physician presented with a failing graft from a previous elephant trunk repair. Open surgery was deemed too risky.
Innovation: Dr. Pierce used intravenous ultrasound to guide a new stent through the groin while simultaneously docking it from the heart side.
Gunshot Wound to Chest
Colin Anderson
A teen suffered a GSW requiring the removal of his right middle lung lobe due to extensive damage.
Arterial Stenosis and Intracranial Aneurysm
Lucy Reid
A patient with dizziness was found to have arterial stenosis and a brain aneurysm. A combined neurosurgical approach repaired both issues.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Diverticulitis: Leading to an emergency colectomy.
Episode 14
Aortic Dissection Secondary to Overdose
Betty (Britney)
During a mass drug overdose event, Betty presented with a hypertensive emergency caused by methamphetamine and opioids. This triggered an aortic dissection.
Treatment: An initial endovascular approach revealed a blocked distal aorta, forcing a conversion to open surgery to reconstruct the vessel.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Pancreas-Sparing Total Duodenectomy: Performed on a patient with a "frozen abdomen."
Shooter's Abscess: Infection from injection drug use.
Episode 15
Spinal Tumor (Post-Op)
Catherine Fox
The narrative focuses on Catherine's adjustment to living with cancer (the remaining 5% nodule) and the anxiety of "scan to scan" survival.
Bipolar Disorder/Psychosis
Helen Karev
Alex’s mother visited, exhibiting signs of a manic episode with hallucinations (smelling burning items). It highlighted the challenges of managing chronic mental illness.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Substance Use Disorder: Betty's transition to rehab.
Episode 16
Osteosarcoma Treated with Rotation-Plasty
Hunter Martinez
A baseball player with osteosarcoma of the distal femur underwent a rotation-plasty.
Procedure: The cancerous portion of the leg was removed, and the lower leg was rotated 180 degrees and reattached. The ankle joint effectively became a new knee joint to power a prosthetic.
Acute Pulmonary Embolus (Factor V Leiden)
Frank Nelstadt
A patient coughed up a massive clot shaped like a bronchial tree. He was diagnosed with Factor V Leiden, a clotting disorder.
Treatment: Ultrasound-guided catheter-directed thrombolysis (TPA).
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Preterm Birth: Research discussed regarding an external gestational sac.
Episode 17
Uterine Artery Hemorrhage in Pregnancy
Lizzie Hall
A trauma patient, 21 weeks pregnant, suffered a bleed from the uterine artery. Embolization failed.
Outcome: An emergency hysterectomy was required to save the mother, resulting in the loss of the non-viable fetus. Dr. DeLuca Sr. proposed an experimental "bio-bag" (artificial womb), but it was refused as unsafe.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Bipolar: Mentioned in genetic testing contexts.
Burn Treatment: Using tilapia skin for grafts.
Episode 18
Hereditary Pancreatitis (Islet Autotransplantation)
Nora Hillridge
A child with chronic pancreatitis underwent a total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation. The pancreas was removed, and the insulin-producing islet cells were harvested and infused back into the liver to prevent brittle diabetes.
Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis
Kari Donnelly
A snowmobile accident victim underwent a laminectomy for spinal fractures. Intraoperative cord swelling resulted in immediate quadriplegia.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Cervical Insufficiency: Diagnosed in Dr. Altman, requiring monitoring to prevent preterm labor.
Necrosis: Found within the pancreas.
Episode 19
Diaphragmatic Tear and Sexual Assault
Abby
A patient presenting with a facial laceration was found to have a diaphragmatic tear with organ herniation via ultrasound.
Context: Signs of sexual assault were noted. The surgery was paused to allow the patient to consent to a sexual assault kit (rape kit) before the surgical prep destroyed the evidence. The hernia repair was successful.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Renal Trauma: Historical reference to domestic abuse injuries.
Episode 20
Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation
Caleb Hicks
A veteran injured by an IED underwent a complex transplant of the abdominal wall, penis, and scrotum. The procedure involved intricate nerve and vessel anastomosis.
Meckel's Diverticulum
Alicia Davis
Thought to be appendicitis, this case was converted to open surgery when dead bowel was found. The true diagnosis was Meckel’s Diverticulum with a band cutting off blood supply, requiring an ileocecectomy.
Thymoma and Rh-Null Blood
Gus Carter
A child with autism and a thymoma required surgery but had severe anemia. He was found to have Rh-Null ("Golden Blood"), a rare blood type lacking all Rh antigens. He could only receive blood from another Rh-Null donor.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Discussed regarding the veteran patient.
Episode 21
Progressive Kyphoscoliosis
Jonah Mays
A teenager with severe spinal curvature and respiratory distress required a Vertebral Column Resection (VCR). The vertebrae causing the curve were removed and replaced with a titanium cage.
Complication: Temporary loss of signal during traction, which resolved.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Quadriplegia: Discussed as a risk of VCR.
Episode 22
Uterus Didelphys
Avi
A patient with IBD presented with obstruction symptoms but was actually in labor. She had uterus didelphys (two uteri), which allowed her to be pregnant in one uterus while menstruating from the other, masking the pregnancy.
Cement Embolism
Josh Sterman
During a vertebroplasty for a compression fracture, bone cement leaked into the bloodstream, causing a massive pulmonary embolism and death.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Stem Cell Treatment: Experimental injection into the cervical spine for quadriplegia.
Traumatic Pericardial Effusion: Caused by a stiletto heel puncture.
Episode 23
Aortic Stenosis
Chief Lucas Ripley
The Fire Chief collapsed due to aortic stenosis. While scheduled for valve replacement, his condition was complicated by chemical exposure (calcium channel blocker/hydrofluoric acid implied by symptoms) causing hypocalcemia and acidosis.
Pediatric Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Gabriella Rivera
A child presented with intussusception (telescoping bowel) caused by a mass. Pathology confirmed lymphoma.
Context: The "insurance fraud" arc began here, with doctors manipulating paperwork to get her coverage.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Rh-Null Blood Shortage: The search for a donor for Gus continued.
Episode 24
Thymoma and Severe Anemia
Gus Carter
Gus’s hemoglobin dropped to 3.1, causing heart failure. Dr. Karev placed him in a hyperbaric chamber to oxygenate his plasma while waiting for the Rh-Null donor to arrive.
Stem Cell Complication
Kari Donnelly
The quadriplegic patient from Ep 18/22 developed a cavitary lesion and pneumonia following stem cell therapy. She required a lobectomy to prevent sepsis.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Agoraphobia: Affecting the blood donor on the plane.
Fractured Coccyx: A "broken tailbone" requiring repair.
Episode 25
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (Stage 2)
Gabriella Rivera
Gabby received a diagnosis of Stage 2 lymphoma, which was presented as optimistic due to high treatability.
Rh-Null Transfusion
Gus Carter
The "Golden Blood" donor arrived just in time. Gus received the transfusion in the hyperbaric chamber, resolving his cardiac arrest and allowing him to stabilize for his thymoma surgery.
Other Medical Conditions Discussed
Tension Pneumothorax: Gus required needle decompression.
Geriatric Pregnancy: Discussed regarding Teddy Altman's labor.
🔖 Key Takeaways
🗝️ Surgical Innovation: The season heavily featured cutting-edge and experimental procedures, including the use of the hyperbaric chamber for surgery, extracorporeal radiation for bone cancer, and a penis/abdominal wall transplant.
🗝️ Complex Diagnostics: Several cases hinged on rare diagnoses that mimic other conditions, such as Auto-brewery syndrome appearing as alcoholism and Uterus Didelphys masking a pregnancy.
🗝️ The "Golden Blood" Arc: The storyline of Gus Carter introduced viewers to Rh-Null blood, one of the rarest blood types in the world, driving a multi-episode search for a donor.
🗝️ Insurance and Ethics: The case of Gabby Rivera highlighted the lengths doctors might go to (including fraud) to treat pediatric cancer patients without insurance coverage.
🗝️ Oncology: Cancer remained a major theme, from Catherine Fox’s managed chondrosarcoma to pediatric lymphoma and osteosarcoma treated with rotation-plasty.
Keywords: Grey's Anatomy Season 15
Grey's Anatomy Season 15
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