The episode revolves around a patient named Hannah Morganthal, who has Congenital Insensitivity to Pain (CIPA), a rare condition that prevents her from feeling pain. After being involved in a car accident, Hannah is taken to the hospital where Dr. House and his team try to diagnose and treat her.
As the episode progresses, Hannah's condition leads to a series of misdiagnoses and misadventures, including a second-degree burn, a failed nerve biopsy, and a near-fatal fall. Meanwhile, Dr. House becomes fascinated by Hannah's condition and starts to explore its implications.
Eventually, it is discovered that Hannah has a tapeworm infestation, which is causing her body to be depleted of vitamin B12, leading to neurological complications. The tapeworm is removed, and Hannah begins to recover.
Throughout the episode, Dr. House's character is also explored, particularly his own experiences with pain and his jealousy of Hannah's ability to not feel pain. The episode ends with a commentary on the implications of CIPA and the importance of proper diagnosis and treatment.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Hannah Morganthal is involved in a car accident along the Canal Road, just outside Kingston.
2. Hannah's mom is unconscious after the accident.
3. Hannah has CIPA (Congenital Insensitivity to Pain).
4. There have only been about 60 documented cases of CIPA.
5. Hannah is taken to the hospital for treatment.
6. Dr. House suspects Hannah has CIPA and orders a series of tests, including x-rays, blood tests, EEG, and nerve biopsy.
7. Hannah's EEG is normal, and her x-ray shows no breaks.
8. Hannah's blood test shows no infections, but her urine test indicates a low white blood cell count.
9. Hannah's fever spikes to 105 degrees, which is life-threatening for someone with CIPA.
10. Dr. House decides to try and induce pain in Hannah to see if she can feel anything.
11. Hannah is subjected to various tests, including being submerged in scalding water, but she doesn't feel any pain.
12. Hannah undergoes surgery, but the details of the surgery are not specified.
13. After the surgery, Hannah's legs are paralyzed, and she cannot feel anything below the waist.
14. Dr. House suspects that Hannah may have a tapeworm infestation, which is stealing her B12 nutrients.
15. Hannah is given a shot of B12, but it doesn't work.
16. An abdominal MRI is ordered, which reveals the presence of a tapeworm.
17. The tapeworm is removed, and Hannah's condition begins to improve.
18. The tapeworm was 25 feet long, which is unusually long.
19. Hannah's case is unusual because her CIPA masked the symptoms of the tapeworm infestation.
20. The tapeworm infestation caused Hannah to develop neurologic complications, fever, and other symptoms.