Medical Diagnoses in Grey's Anatomy: A Comprehensive Review of Medical Conditions in Season 7
- Oct 21
- 17 min read
Season 7 of Grey's Anatomy grappled with the profound and lingering aftermath of the hospital shooting, exploring how trauma reshapes not just the mind, but the practice of medicine itself. As the surgeons of Seattle Grace Mercy West struggled with PTSD and a newfound fear of the OR, they were simultaneously confronted with some of the most innovative and high-stakes medical challenges of their careers. This season was a study in contrasts: doctors unable to perform basic procedures one moment were pioneering regenerative medicine the next. From a radical face-splitting surgery to remove a giant tumor to a groundbreaking double arm transplant, Season 7 was all about rebuilding—bodies, careers, and the very soul of the hospital.
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Episode 1: "With You I'm Born Again"
Giant Skull Base Chordoma
A young patient, Greg, presented with a life-threatening giant skull base chordoma, the largest Dr. Shepherd had ever seen. The tumor had mushroomed into his brain and down his spine and was wrapped around his brainstem. The radical treatment required splitting his entire face open—breaking his jaw and cutting his tongue—to access and remove the mass. Dr. Shepherd quit as Chief of Surgery to focus on the incredibly high-risk operation. The surgery was a success, and Dr. Shepherd characterized the patient's severe post-operative pain as a "victory pain."
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Identified as a widespread psychiatric condition affecting staff after the hospital shooting.
Severe Sleep Deprivation/Breakdown: A consequence of PTSD for one staff member, requiring psychiatric commitment.
Miscarriage: The condition requiring a D&C procedure for a non-viable fetus.
Episode 2: "Shock to the System"
Recurring Malignant Cardiac Myxomas
Linda Cotler (51) returned for the fourth time in eight years for the removal of recurrent malignant myxomas in her heart. Due to the high risk of cardiac rupture from repeated surgeries, Dr. Altman opted for a radical ex-vivo heart reconstruction. The aggressive procedure involved surgically resecting both atria and then reconstructing new ones using bovine pericardium.
Lightning Strike Injuries
A lightning strike hit an entire flag football team, resulting in eight victims with burns, paralysis, and ruptured eardrums.
Warren Griffith, who was struck hardest, was later diagnosed with a bowel perforation requiring immediate surgery.
Kerry Schultz, another victim, had persistent paralysis caused by an epidural hematoma in her spine. A straightforward procedure to relieve the pressure was expected to lead to a full recovery.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Retained Bullet: A bullet lodged in a doctor's chest required mandatory removal due to risk of infection.
Ferning: Superficial skin marks on a lightning strike victim, representing the entry points of the electricity.
MRSA/Sepsis: Potential complications if the retained bullet became infected.
Episode 3: "Superfreak"
Pituitary Tumor
Todd was brought to the hospital by Dr. Amelia Shepherd with a suspected pituitary tumor, which imaging confirmed. The planned transnasal approach was complicated by significant bleeding, forcing the team to change their approach and open him up. The surgery was ultimately successful.
Extensive Human Papillomavirus (H.P.V.) Warts
Jerry Adams was admitted with extensive, disabling warts caused by H.P.V. combined with an immune deficiency. The growths were so severe they looked like "horns." The treatment involved meticulously cutting and stitching each individual wart. The surgery was not a cure, as they would recur, but it was necessary to remove the current growths.
Foreign Body Aspiration (Condom)
Gretchen (27) presented with difficulty breathing. A bronchoscopy revealed the cause: a condom in her lung. She admitted to accidentally inhaling it during her bachelorette party while practicing how to apply one to a banana. The object was removed successfully.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Bronchial obstruction: The cause of Gretchen's respiratory symptoms.
Phobia: A doctor's extreme reaction to a spider crawling out of Jerry's warts during surgery.
Post-traumatic distress: Cristina Yang's inability to operate after the shooting.
Episode 4: "Can't Fight Biology"
Osteosarcoma of the Right Tibia
Jake Fisher (15), a ballet dancer, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) of the right tibia. To avoid amputation, surgeons performed a high-risk, experimental limb-sparing procedure. They removed the cancerous bone, sterilized it with high-dose radiation, and then reimplanted the patient's own irradiated bone back into his leg.
Ruptured Diaphragm and Undiagnosed Huntington's Disease
Lila was admitted with a ruptured diaphragm after driving her car into a Laundromat. During her treatment, she revealed she had the gene for Huntington's Disease, a fatal genetic condition. She admitted her "spastic hand trick" was actually chorea, an early symptom.
Bowel Obstruction Secondary to Experimental Parasite Ingestion
Mr. Fink, a biologist, deliberately ingested parasitic worms for an asthma experiment. He kept them in for 343 days, far longer than recommended, causing a nasty bowel obstruction that perforated. The emergency surgery to save his life destroyed his research.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Hostile Uterus: The suggested cause of a previous miscarriage.
Massive "Baby-Squishing" Fibroids: Growths in the uterus diagnosed as a problem for carrying a pregnancy.
Peritonitis: A dangerous inflammation of the abdominal lining from the perforated bowel.
Episode 5: "Almost Grown"
End-Stage Pulmonary Hypertension
Roy Henley (57) was admitted with end-stage pulmonary hypertension, making a lung transplant his only option. His case was complicated by fungal pneumonia and progressing kidney failure. Despite the high risks and his lack of a support system, Dr. Cristina Yang argued for his inclusion on the transplant list, citing his strong "will to fight," and the panel approved him.
Juvenile Gynecomastia
Seth, an adolescent, sought plastic surgery for gynecomastia (enlarged male breasts) due to severe bullying. Dr. Karev argued that delaying the excision of the glandular tissue would only cause further psychological trauma. The surgery was successful, immediately relieving the patient's anxiety.
Subdural Hematoma Secondary to DVT Prophylaxis
Meg Whealon (28) was recovering from surgery for a tibial plateau fracture and was on blood thinners for DVT prophylaxis. She rapidly developed a headache, blurred vision, and a blown pupil, leading to a diagnosis of a subdural hematoma (brain bleed). With the attending unavailable, Dr. Meredith Grey performed the emergency craniotomy herself, successfully controlling the bleed.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Foreign Body Obstruction: A June bug was removed from a child's ear.
Goiter: An abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland.
Gunshot Wound to the Abdomen: Referenced as the cause of death for a doctor during the shooting.
Episode 6: "These Arms of Mine"
Bilateral Arm Amputation Treated by Double Arm Transplant
Zack, a former logger who had lost both arms in an accident, received a bilateral upper extremity transplant. The massive, 15-20 hour surgery involved five teams of surgeons. To mitigate rejection, bone marrow from the donor was infused into Zack. A complication arose when one arm became cyanotic, but blood flow was successfully restored. This was only the second successful bilateral arm transplant ever reported.
Recurrent Tracheal Tumor Treated by Regenerative Medicine
Lily (9) had an aggressive, recurrent benign tumor on her windpipe, causing airway blockage. Because prior surgeries left her with fistulas, removing the tumor would require removing her entire trachea, which would be fatal. The experimental treatment was to manufacture a new trachea using her own cells. Cartilage was harvested from her rib, turned into a protein liquid, and grown on a scaffolding.
Post-Operative Coma and Sepsis
Mary Portman was admitted for a routine colostomy reversal. The surgery was "textbook," but she did not wake up, entering a coma. Despite extensive testing, no cause was found. She eventually developed sepsis, her organs began to fail, and with no brain activity, her husband had to make an end-of-life decision.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Obvious Head Trauma and Brain Death: The condition of the arm donor.
Stab Wound: A trauma patient requiring packing and stabilization.
Cardiac Arrest (Code Blue): A patient actively "coding" required prolonged CPR.
Episode 7: "That's Me Trying"
Acute Cor Pulmonale and Cardiogenic Shock
Roy Henley, awaiting his lung transplant, deteriorated rapidly, going into V-fib. He was diagnosed with cor pulmonale—his diseased lungs were putting extreme pressure on his heart, causing it to fail. To keep him alive until the donor lungs arrived, Dr. Yang initiated aggressive support, including an intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) and placing him on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). After the transplant, his heart successfully began beating again.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Multiple Organ Failure: The unknown cause of death for Mary Portman.
Alzheimer's Disease: The subject of a major grant proposal.
Open Book Pelvis and Sucking Chest Wound: Injuries in a simulated mass casualty drill.
Gas Embolism and Peripheral Ischemia: Potential complications of the IABP.
Episode 8: "Something's Gotta Give"
Biliary Atresia: Novel Use of a Celluloid Spacer
Lisa Collis, a four-month-old with biliary atresia, received a split liver transplant. During the operation, the adult liver graft was too large for her abdomen, compressing the hepatic vessels. Dr. Stark initially planned to use a sponge to relieve pressure. However, Dr. Karev suggested an innovative alternative: using a gas-sterilized ping-pong ball as a permanent internal spacer. The celluloid material would not break down and would allow the liver to grow around it. The solution was adopted, saving the baby's life.
Concurrent Repair of Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysm and Coronary Artery Dissection
A VIP patient, The Emir, was admitted in V-fib after a car accident. He was treated for a tear in a coronary artery. However, it was then revealed he had a previously undiagnosed unruptured cerebral aneurysm, which had ruptured in the crash. The blood thinners given for his heart had exacerbated the intracranial hemorrhage. He required simultaneous open-heart surgery and neurosurgery to repair the coronary graft and clip the ruptured aneurysm, which were both successful.
Post-Operative Complications of Chronic Pancreatitis Surgery
Louise Cortez was readmitted after surgery for chronic pancreatitis. A CT scan revealed a pancreatic fistula leaking digestive enzymes. She declined rapidly, became delirious, and went into shock. She died in the OR from a Grade-C fistula with a ruptured splenic artery.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Myocardial Infarction (MI): The initial suspected diagnosis for The Emir.
Schizophrenia: The diagnosis of a resident's brother.
End-Stage Lung Disease: A patient required a lung transplant.
Episode 9: "Slow Night, So Long"
Perforated Duodenal Ulcer following Pectus Excavatum Repair
Drew McNeil, a young boy recovering from surgery for pectus excavatum, presented with severe abdominal pain. The on-call attending, Dr. Stark, dismissed it as gas. Dr. Grey, however, ordered a CT scan, which revealed a perforated duodenal ulcer, likely caused by anti-inflammatories. Unable to reach the attending, residents Alex Karev and Meredith Grey made the critical decision to take the patient to the OR themselves and successfully repaired the perforation.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Pectus excavatum: A congenital chest wall defect.
Graham patch: The surgical technique suggested for the ulcer repair.
Aorta injury: Damage to the main artery in a major trauma from a car vs. train collision.
Episode 10: "Adrift and at Peace"
Investigation into Post-Operative Fistula Prevention
Dr. Bailey initiated a contest among the residents to find a way to eliminate post-operative fistulas. After observing several cases, including a patient who was readmitted in septic shock from a fistula, the breakthrough came from analyzing patient data. It was confirmed that removing all post-operative drains on day three instead of day five could reduce fistula formation by 30%, establishing a new hospital protocol.
Von Hippel-Lindau Disease and Barriers to Care
Henry Burton had Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, a genetic condition causing tumors throughout his body. He had a dangerous tumor on his adrenal gland but had exhausted his insurance coverage. To ensure he could get the life-saving surgery, Dr. Teddy Altman married him so he could use her insurance.
Traumatic Injury: Torn Inferior Vena Cava
Jason Paiz (27) fell a hundred feet into a ravine and was admitted in hemorrhagic shock. The diagnosis was a lethal injury: a torn inferior vena cava. To control the hemorrhage, Dr. Hunt cracked his chest to insert a shunt, bypassing blood flow to create time to repair the tear.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease: Henry's rare genetic condition.
Pheochromocytoma: The dangerous adrenal tumor Henry presented with.
Septic Shock: A life-threatening complication from a post-op fistula.
Midgut Volvulus: Twisting of the small intestine requiring immediate surgery.
Episode 11: "Disarm"
Severe Head Trauma and Gunshot Wounds
A mass shooting at Pacific College brought in multiple critical patients.
Professor John Sturgeon fell from a fourth-story window and presented with an open skull fracture and a blown pupil. His intracranial pressure (ICP) was 45. To save his life, Dr. Shepherd performed a radical decompression, removing both sides of his skull to allow the brain to swell, leaving him in a medically induced coma.
Jared Swork, later identified as the shooter, sustained a GSW to the heart with a tear on the right ventricle. The long, resource-intensive surgery to reconstruct his ventricle sparked ethical controversy, but proceeded based on the physicians' oath to save any life.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Laceration to the Superficial Femoral Artery: A GSW to the leg caused a tear in the major artery.
Zone Two Injury of the Neck: An injury to the mid-neck region from a grazing GSW.
Intracranial Hemorrhage: A patient's pupil became unresponsive, requiring burr holes to release pressure.
Episode 12: "Start Me Up"
Von Hippel-Lindau Disease and Pheochromocytoma
Henry Burton underwent surgery for his massive pheochromocytoma, which was compromising his kidney. During the operation, an unforeseen complication arose: a necrotic cyst on his pancreas was close to rupturing. The surgery required removing the adrenal gland, the kidney, and a large portion of the pancreas, meaning Henry would likely become an insulin-dependent diabetic.
Acute Spinal Trauma
Brady Sullivan was trampled by horses on his wedding day. He sustained tandem spinal lesions: a fracture translocation at L4-L5 and a unilateral jumped facet at C5-C6. During intubation, he had a cardiac event caused by hyperkalemia, which was treated with calcium and insulin. Dr. Shepherd stabilized his spine with a graft and plate.
Treacher Collins Syndrome
Sarah Cassidy (15) had Treacher Collins Syndrome, leaving her without cheekbones. To allow her to play sports safely, Dr. Sloan and Dr. Karev proposed an experimental procedure using cadaver bone grafts injected with stem cells to build new cheekbones, a less invasive alternative to harvesting her own skull bone.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Hyperkalemia: A critical electrolyte imbalance that caused cardiac arrest.
Necrotic Pancreatic Cyst: An unexpected, urgent finding during Henry's surgery.
Insulin-Dependent Diabetes: The metabolic outcome of Henry's pancreatectomy.
Episode 13: "Don't Deceive Me (Please Don't Go)"
Alzheimer's Disease and the NGF Clinical Trial
The season's major clinical trial focused on Alzheimer's Disease. The treatment involved neurosurgery to insert a probe delivering an NGF drug or a placebo. Daniel Cobb, a patient in the trial, exhibited severe memory loss, failing to recognize his wife and asking for another woman. The uncertainty of receiving the drug versus the placebo caused immense stress for his family. Another patient, John Driscoll, also participated.
Multivessel Coronary Disease
Martha Elkin (75) was diagnosed with multivessel coronary disease and scheduled for a quadruple bypass. She experienced significant anxiety about the surgery's risks but was convinced by the team to proceed.
Pancreatic Trauma and Islet Cell Autotransplantation
Anthony Windsor suffered a critical hemorrhage from a pseudoaneurysm in his splenic artery, a complication of leaking pancreatic enzymes. The damage required the removal of his entire pancreas. To prevent severe lifelong complications, the team performed an islet cell autotransplant: they isolated the islet cells from his removed pancreas and injected them into his liver, "tricking" it into producing insulin.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Molar Pregnancy: An abnormal growth in the uterus, a concern for a pregnant patient.
Vascular Dementia: The diagnosis for another patient in the same care facility as the Alzheimer's trial participants.
Pseudoaneurysm in the Splenic Artery: A life-threatening hemorrhage from dissolved blood vessels.
Episode 14: "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
Urolithiasis (Kidney Stone) in a Post-Liver Transplant Patient
Thatcher Grey presented with abdominal pain, raising fears of rejecting his transplanted liver. The final diagnosis was a large kidney stone (Urolithiasis), which required surgical treatment.
Multiple Traumatic Injuries
Randy Shouse (23) slammed into a brick wall after being launched from a human slingshot. His injuries included bilaterally dislocated hips and fractures of his femur, radius, ribs, and metacarpals. He initially asked for his hip reduction to be filmed "for the art" while he was awake, but his screams of pain necessitated sedation and surgery.
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)
A baby was diagnosed in utero with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. A brain-dead baby was identified as a donor, and a C-section was induced to allow for an immediate neonatal heart transplant. A complication arose after the clamp was removed, causing dangerously low blood pressure, but the team successfully performed a long diagonal anastomosis on the aorta, saving the baby.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Liver Transplant Rejection: The initial, incorrect suspected diagnosis for Thatcher Grey.
Cleft-palate: A condition requiring a series of pro bono surgeries.
Caffeine Withdrawal: Causing severe discomfort in a character.
Episode 15: "Golden Hour"
Dissecting Aortic Aneurysm
Oliver Richter (42), with no cardiac risk factors, presented with chest pain. Before a CT scan could be completed, he coded. The scans confirmed a Dissecting Aortic Aneurysm. During an emergency sternotomy, the aorta was found to be "wide open" and in "shreds." He developed DIC, and despite extensive efforts, the bleeding could not be controlled, and he died.
Acute Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident - CVA)
Mitch Turner was discharged with a "glorified migraine." Dr. Grey, noticing a change in his signature, intercepted him and found he had classic stroke symptoms. Because the symptoms had begun within the "golden hour" (less than 20 minutes prior), he was eligible for clot-busting medicine, and his prognosis was very good.
Foreign Body in the Cranium
Stewart arrived in the ER with a knife sticking out of his head. He was neurologically intact. Imaging confirmed the blade had missed all major arteries and brain matter. The blade was successfully extracted.
Hairline Wrist Fracture and Potential Dementia
Adele Webber presented with a hairline wrist fracture. Dr. Grey became concerned about her memory issues (discussing Christmas in February). Although a head CT was clean, Grey maintained her suspicion that something "isn't right," suggesting potential dementia or Alzheimer's.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Femoral-Popliteal (Fem-Pop) Bypasses: A complex vascular surgery for arterial blockage in the legs.
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC): The widespread clotting and bleeding disorder that developed in the aortic dissection patient.
Spica cast: A full leg cast connected to the other leg for a femur fracture.
Episode 16: "Not Responsible"
Cystic Fibrosis Requiring Bilateral Lung Transplant
Ricky, a young man with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), was scheduled for a bilateral lung transplant. A critical complication arose: his girlfriend, Julia, also had CF. The risk of cross-infection after his transplant (while on immunosuppressants) was described as "suicide" for the new lungs. He was forced to choose between his relationship and the transplant. He chose the transplant, which was successful.
Alzheimer's Disease and Cognitive Impairment
Adele Webber's Alzheimer's Disease had progressed, causing memory loss and accident-proneness. She was enrolled in Dr. Shepherd's clinical trial.
Cystic Hygroma in a Child
Kyle presented with a painless bump on his neck, diagnosed as a Cystic Hygroma. The mass was pushing on his airway, classifying it as a "time bomb." The treatment was immediate surgical removal.
Transient Vision Impairment
Meredith Grey experienced temporary vision impairment as a side effect of fertility drugs. The condition progressed to the point where she couldn't see during a surgical procedure, requiring her to stop the medication immediately.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Amniocentesis: A diagnostic procedure for prenatal screening.
Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) Embolism: A vascular obstruction requiring an embolectomy.
Diverticulitis: A condition involving inflamed pouches in the digestive tract.
Episode 17: "This Is How We Do It"
Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease
Adele Webber's cognitive testing for the clinical trial confirmed her diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's, although her score of 27 was one point too high to qualify immediately. The consensus was that she had the disease and her condition would worsen without treatment.
Complicated Type 1 Diabetes Requiring Islet Cell Transplant
Clara Green (42), a Type 1 diabetic, deteriorated into a hypoglycemic coma. She was a candidate for the Chief's islet cell transplant trial. Due to her critical condition, Chief Webber performed the surgery without official FDA approval under emergency circumstances. The procedure was successful, and her glucose levels stabilized.
Cardiac Mass/Tumor
Henry, Dr. Altman's husband, collapsed while jogging and went into V-fib. A CT angiogram revealed a mass close to his heart. The extremely delicate surgery to resect the tumor was assigned to Dr. Cristina Yang, who successfully removed it with "clean margins."
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Hypoglycemic Coma: A critical state when a diabetic's blood sugar drops too rapidly.
Incarcerated Incisional Hernia: An abdominal wall defect where a hernia became trapped.
Ventricular Fibrillation (V-fib): The dangerous arrhythmia that caused Henry to collapse.
Episode 18: "Song Beneath the Song"
Multiple Blunt Trauma, Traumatic VSD, and Large Intracranial Hematomas
Dr. Callie Torres, while pregnant, was in a severe car-versus-truck accident. She arrived tachycardic and hypotensive with a cascade of life-threatening injuries:
Neurological Trauma: A depressed skull fracture with large epidural and subdural hematomas.
Internal Hemorrhage: A liver laceration and other abdominal bleeding, complicated by hypothermia and coagulopathy.
Cardiac Injury: A traumatic Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD).
To avoid the risks of traditional bypass surgery on her injured brain, Dr. Yang performed a percutaneous repair of the VSD. During a second surgery for abdominal compartment syndrome, Callie's heart deteriorated, forcing an emergency C-section. Her baby was delivered at 23 weeks, weighing one pound, one ounce. Callie's heart was stabilized, and she eventually woke up.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Coagulopathy: Failure of the blood's clotting mechanism.
Abdominal compartment syndrome: Life-threatening pressure buildup in the abdomen.
Apgar still zero: The lowest possible score for a newborn, indicating no signs of life.
Episode 19: "It's a Long Way Back"
Alzheimer's Disease and Clinical Trial Complications
Dr. Shepherd's Alzheimer's trial was jeopardized when a patient, Ed Beckert, died from a massive Myocardial Infarction (MI) during the procedure. The trial was shut down pending an autopsy. Meanwhile, Adele Webber's condition worsened, making her eligible for the trial. It was later indicated she received the experimental drug, possibly outside of the standard protocol.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) in a Neonate
Baby Sofia, born prematurely, developed heart failure because her ductus arteriosus had not closed. She required an immediate PDA ligation. The procedure was complicated when the PDA ripped, but the surgical team successfully closed the defect.
Advanced Lung Cancer
Mrs. Pulcher, a patient with metastatic lung cancer, suffered from worsening post-operative infections, non-compliance (smoking), and a low white blood cell count. She passed away from an arrhythmia. Surprisingly, she left a $200,000 check to fund Dr. Karev's program for African children.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Myocardial Infarction (MI): The cause of death for the Alzheimer's trial patient.
Heart Failure: Developed in baby Sofia due to the PDA.
Arrhythmia: The cause of death for Mrs. Pulcher.
Optic Glioma and Idiopathic Gangrene: Diagnoses for children in the African surgical program.
Episode 20: "White Wedding"
Intestinal Tuberculosis (TB) in a Pediatric Patient with HIV/AIDS
Asha (10), who was HIV positive and had a history of severe internal injuries, was admitted with uncontrollable bleeding. During surgery, surgeons found her viscera looked "like wax" and diagnosed her with intestinal TB. Adhesions were everywhere. The team ligated the bleeding vessel and addressed the adhesions, planning to start anti-TB medication post-op.
Hydrocephalus Secondary to Spina Bifida
Zola, a six-month-old orphan with spina bifida, was found to have hydrocephalus. The necessary treatment was the surgical placement of a shunt to drain the fluid, which was performed successfully before her planned spinal surgery.
Alzheimer’s Disease Research (Preclinical Phase)
Dr. Shepherd's Alzheimer's trial continued in the preclinical phase with mice. When "Mouse J" took a turn for the worse, extensive scans revealed a small hernia. This led to a crucial refinement: the drug delivery device needed to be placed just underneath the skin, confirming the device worked but its placement was faulty.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Pentalogy of Cantrell: A rare, complex congenital syndrome.
Swenson Procedure: A specialized surgery to correct colorectal issues.
Obstructed Delivery: An obstetric complication where a baby became stuck during birth.
Episode 21: "I Will Survive"
Abdominal Ectopic Pregnancy in a Patient with Sickle Cell Disease
Lebo (17), who had sickle cell disease, was admitted after fainting. Despite being 32 weeks pregnant, she had concealed it. An exploratory laparotomy revealed an abdominal ectopic pregnancy—the baby was not in the uterus but tangled in her intestines. Life-threatening bleeding occurred when the placenta ripped from the abdominal wall. Surgeons controlled the hemorrhage and successfully delivered the baby.
Pulmonary Foreign Body (Arborization)
Mr. Aranda was admitted for coughing up blood. A bronchoscopy revealed the cause was not cancer, but a tree growing in his lung. Doctors hypothesized he had inhaled a seedling that "took root." A thoracotomy was performed to remove the conifer.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Splenic rupture: A potential cause considered for Lebo's abdominal bleeding.
Torrential hemorrhage: The severe bleeding from the placental tear.
Early on-set Alzheimer's: Referenced by a character concerned about their genetic risk.
Episode 22: "Unaccompanied Minor"
Alzheimer's Disease and the Integrity of Clinical Trials
The season's central storyline culminated in an ethical crisis. Meredith Grey, fearing Adele Webber was receiving the placebo in the Alzheimer's trial, tampered with the double-blind study. She switched the envelopes to ensure Adele received the active drug. Her confession led to her suspension and jeopardized the entire trial, which was turned over to the FDA. The episode also featured a mass casualty event from a 757 plane crash and the revelation of Cristina Yang's unplanned pregnancy.
Other Conditions Mentioned:
Mass Casualty Event: A 757 plane crash with ~200 injured passengers.
Hypothermia: Anticipated in victims retrieved from the water.
Unplanned Pregnancy: Confirmed in Dr. Cristina Yang.
Temporal Lobe Hematoma: Diagnosed in the sole known survivor of the plane crash.
🔖 Key Takeaways
The Aftermath of Trauma: A central theme was the widespread Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affecting the staff after the shooting. This manifested in various ways, from Cristina's inability to operate to Alex's fear of elevators, demonstrating the deep psychological wounds left by the event.
Groundbreaking and Experimental Surgeries: The season was packed with pioneering procedures. Highlights include a radical ex-vivo heart reconstruction, the country's second-ever bilateral arm transplant, and an experimental limb-sparing surgery where a patient's own irradiated bone was used to treat osteosarcoma.
Regenerative and Future Medicine: The surgeons ventured into the future of medicine with a case involving the creation of a new trachea grown from a patient's own cells and a clinical trial for Alzheimer's Disease that became the center of a major ethical conflict.
Mass Casualty Events: The hospital was tested by two major mass casualty incidents: a lightning strike that hit a football team and a shooting at a local college, forcing the doctors to put aside their own trauma to save others.
Bizarre and Unforgettable Cases: Season 7 delivered some of the most memorable "zebra" diagnoses, including a man with a tree growing in his lung, a patient with extensive HPV warts that looked like horns, and a woman who accidentally aspirated a condom.
