Unique Diseases in Grey’s Anatomy-Diva

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)

Teddy (Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery) had to perform surgery on her husband (who she married to afford him access to her healthcare) and didn’t know it! This was all post learning that he was living with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)– a genetic cancer condition that causes tumors in areas of the body rich in blood vessels, like the eye, kidney, pancreas and spinal cord. It is a rare genetic disorder with multisystem involvement. It is characterized by visceral cysts and benign tumors with potential for subsequent malignant transformation.

Brittle Bone Disease

In Season 10, when April and Jackson are going to have a baby and their relationship is jeopardized after receiving the news that their unborn baby has Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) and the events that follow. OI is more commonly known as “brittle bone disease” and while it can be managed, there are several types and no cure. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a group of genetic disorders that mainly affect the development of the bones. People with this condition have bones that break easily, often from little or no trauma. Multiple fractures are common, and in severe cases, can even occur before birth.

Moyamoya Syndrome

The adorable little girl Iris survives surgeries performed by Dr. McDreamy after coming to Seattle Grace for treatment for her Moyamoya Syndrome in season 9, episode 22: ‘Do You Believe in Magic?’

Moyamoya Syndrome is a rare and progressive cerebrovascular disorder often found in children but also in adults. The carotid artery in the skull becomes blocked or narrowed, reducing blood flow to your brain. Tiny blood vessels then open up at the base of the brain in an attempt to supply the brain with sudden blood. It usually displays as a mini stroke (transient ischemic attacks) and can progress into severe muscles weakness and paralysis, arterial blockages, hemorrhagic strokes. The word "moyamoya" means "puff of smoke" in Japanese.

Cystic fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis has been featured on Grey’s several times over the years, but most recently, Dr. Karev gave a young girl a set of new lungs. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that affects mostly the lungs, but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys, and intestine. Long-term issues include difficulty breathing and coughing up mucus as a result of frequent lung infections.

Other signs and symptoms may include sinus infections, poor growth, fatty stool, clubbing of the fingers and toes, and infertility in most males. There is no known cure for cystic fibrosis.