Summary She Was Headed to a Locked Psych Ward. Then an ER Doctor Made a Startling Discovery. getpocket.com
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Dr. Mitchell's discovery of hydrocephalus in a restrained patient led to successful brain surgery and significant improvement, highlighting the importance of comprehensive medical assessments.
Slides
Slide Presentation (6 slides)
Key Points
- ER doctor made a startling discovery about a young woman in a locked psych ward
- Young woman had undiagnosed hydrocephalus causing severe symptoms
- Symptoms included poor balance, gait problems, confusion, memory lapses, and involuntary urination
- Delayed diagnosis led to years of anguish for the patient and her family
- Successful brain surgery relieved the pressure and improved the patient's condition
Summaries
19 word summary
Dr. Mitchell discovered hydrocephalus in a restrained patient, leading to brain surgery and remarkable improvement, emphasizing thorough medical evaluations.
60 word summary
A 23-year-old with bipolar disorder and depression was restrained at a Los Angeles hospital. Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell ordered a CT scan, revealing undiagnosed hydrocephalus. Chloe's journey included severe depression, memory lapses, poor balance, and fainting spells. Dr. Mitchell's evaluation led to immediate brain surgery, resulting in remarkable improvement. The case highlights the importance of thorough medical evaluations for psychiatric patients.
118 word summary
A 23-year-old patient with bipolar disorder and depression was brought to a Los Angeles hospital in restraints after becoming combative. Emergency physician Elizabeth Mitchell ordered a CT scan, revealing undiagnosed hydrocephalus. The patient's mother described Chloe's journey, including severe depression, memory lapses, poor balance, and fainting spells. Despite treatments and therapy, Chloe's condition worsened, leading to hospitalization. Dr. Mitchell's evaluation discovered the hydrocephalus, requiring immediate brain surgery. Post-surgery, Chloe experienced a remarkable improvement. Her case serves as a cautionary tale about considering physical conditions in patients with psychiatric symptoms. Dr. Mitchell emphasized the importance of thorough medical evaluations for all patients. The article concludes with a note about the original publication date and permission to republish the content.
340 word summary
A 23-year-old patient was brought to a Los Angeles hospital in restraints after becoming combative and threatening to harm herself and others. She had been receiving care for bipolar disorder and depression at a private treatment center and was set to move to transitional housing when her behavior suddenly changed. The emergency physician, Elizabeth Mitchell, ordered a CT scan of the patient's head and was shocked by the results. The scan revealed a life-threatening condition that had gone undiagnosed for years.
The patient's mother, Alison Houghton Kral, described the difficult journey that led to her daughter's diagnosis. Chloe had struggled during her first semester at college and began experiencing severe depression and memory lapses. She also exhibited physical symptoms such as poor balance, gait problems, and fainting spells. Despite various treatments and therapy, Chloe's condition continued to worsen, and she was eventually hospitalized for intensive psychotherapy. However, her symptoms persisted, and she was eventually admitted to a psychiatric hospital.
After being evaluated by Dr. Mitchell, it was discovered that Chloe had hydrocephalus, a condition caused by the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. This excess fluid was compressing Chloe's frontal lobes, leading to memory loss, confusion, and other cognitive symptoms. The condition required immediate brain surgery to relieve the pressure and allow the fluid to drain properly. Following the surgery, Chloe experienced a remarkable improvement in her condition and was able to resume normal activities.
Chloe's case serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of considering physical conditions in patients with psychiatric symptoms. The delay in diagnosing her hydrocephalus highlights the need for thorough medical evaluations and the potential consequences of overlooking physical ailments in patients with mental health issues. Despite the challenges she faced, Chloe remains optimistic about her future and is focused on her recovery.
Dr. Mitchell reflected on the potential outcomes if Chloe's condition had not been discovered, emphasizing the importance of thorough medical evaluations for all patients. The article concludes with a note about the original publication date and permission to republish the content.