Welcome back to Mystery Case Monday! We will be posting a hypothetical case every week to get our pre-health students thinking about various clinical issues and the anatomical/physiological causes that underlie them. Join us in the comments section to share your insights and tentative diagnoses, then check back on Friday to read about the diagnosis and recommended treatments of these cases.
This week, our hypothetical patient is a 7-year-old girl whose parents brought her into the clinic because she has gained an unusual amount of weight and has been excessively tired during the day, which has caused her to frequently fall asleep at school. When she first wakes up from these episodes, she is unable to speak or move her arms or legs for several minutes. This, in addition to her reports of waking up in the middle of the night and frequently experiencing nightmares, has caused the patient to fear falling asleep.
Thought Questions:
This week, our hypothetical patient is a 7-year-old girl whose parents brought her into the clinic because she has gained an unusual amount of weight and has been excessively tired during the day, which has caused her to frequently fall asleep at school. When she first wakes up from these episodes, she is unable to speak or move her arms or legs for several minutes. This, in addition to her reports of waking up in the middle of the night and frequently experiencing nightmares, has caused the patient to fear falling asleep.
Thought Questions:
What is the most likely diagnosis for this patient?
Which diagnostic tests would confirm this diagnosis?
What are the anatomical structures involved in this clinical issue?
What are the potential underlying causes for this condition?
What is a good recommended course of treatment for our hypothetical patient?
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