Pulmonology Cases From THE PITT

6 cases 5 episodes · S01E01 – S02E13

All emergency department cases involving Pulmonology from The Pitt, documented with medically accurate clinical timelines, diagnostic workups, and expert clinical pearls.

Patient presenting in acute respiratory distress, utilizing a handheld nebulizer mouthpiece while demonstrating visible accessory muscle use and wheezing.

S02E13 Complex

16 · Male

Grady Barnhill

Severe wheezing, shortness of breath, unresponsive to home albuterol.

Patient has a lifelong history of asthma. Lost Medicaid coverage two months ago due to a missed redetermination letter, resulting in inability to afford maintenance inhalers (Symbicort, montelukast). Has only been using albuterol. Presented to the ED in severe respiratory distress after using home nebulizer every hour without relief.

PulmonologyCritical Care +2 more

Patient arriving via private vehicle in severe respiratory distress.

S02E12 Complex

55 · Male

Oliver Haas

Severe respiratory distress and hypoxia

Oliver Haas is a patient with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday hemodialysis schedule. He missed his Friday session due to attending a wedding. His son attempted to take him to the local clinic on Saturday morning, but it was closed for the 4th of July holiday. With their local rural hospital (Pine Ridge) permanently closed, his 20-year-old son Mason drove him 1.5 hours to The Pitt. Patient arrived in extremis, exhibiting severe respiratory distress and altered mental status upon arrival.

NephrologyDialysis +4 more

Chanel Sutton presenting to the ED in distress.

S01E06 Brief

22 · Female

Chanel Sutton

Acute anxiety, shortness of breath, and cosmetic complication following illicit buttock silicone injection

22-year-old female presents to the Emergency Department after receiving non-medical grade silicone putty sourced from a home improvement store, inspired by TikTok, injected directly into her buttocks in her living room for cosmetic augmentation. She notes significant aesthetic deformity, localized discomfort, and sudden-onset anxiety, palpitations, and rapid breathing, which she initially attributed to a panic attack.

ToxicologyPulmonology +2 more

Patient arriving via EMS in restraints, visibly distressed and yelling in pain.

S01E02 Complex

Adult · Female

Joyce St. Claire

Severe, diffuse body pain, initially flagged by EMS as 'drug-seeking behavior'.

Patient is an adult female with a known history of Sickle Cell Disease who was forcibly removed from a city bus and brought to the ED by EMS and police for 'disrupting and disturbing passengers.' Prehospital personnel labeled her as 'combative' and 'drug-seeking' because she was screaming for narcotics and possessed an empty Percocet bottle filled 5 days prior. Upon arrival, the patient was physically struggling with staff, stating her home medications were not working and that she was experiencing a severe vaso-occlusive sickle cell crisis.

HematologyPain Management +5 more

Facial trauma presenting with avulsion of maxillary central incisor (Tooth #8).

S01E01 Brief

30s · Male

Charlie

Facial trauma and missing tooth following a bar altercation.

Patient presents to the ED following a bar fight. He sustained blunt facial trauma resulting in the complete avulsion of tooth number eight. Patient was initially evaluated, deemed stable, and prepped for discharge before the unaccounted missing tooth was noted during morning rounds.

TraumaDental +2 more

Elderly male patient presenting with confusion and fever.

S01E01 Complex

79 · Male

Joseph Spencer

Fever and cough

79-year-old male from an assisted living facility presenting to the ED with a fever and cough. He has a history of mild Alzheimer's disease. On arrival, he is tachycardic, hypotensive, and experiencing altered mental status (asking if it is dinnertime). A POLST form from his facility indicates he is to receive IV fluids and medications, but no intubation and no chest compressions (DNI/No CPR).

Infectious DiseaseSepsis +7 more