Diagnosis

Dr. Lisa Sanders on hard-to-solve medical mysteries.

Her Arm Was Unbearably Swollen and Painful. What Was Causing It?
A persistent ache had spread throughout her shoulder, down to her elbow. Was her tennis-playing responsible?
By Lisa Sanders, M.D.
It Was Like the Vigor Had Suddenly Been Sucked Out of His Body. What Was It?
The 70-year-old man rapidly went from walking 10 to 15 miles a day to being nearly helpless. His wife wondered if he’d had a stroke.
By Lisa Sanders, M.D.
He Had Severe Heartburn. Could His Trouble With Balance Be Related?
His mouth always tasted like metal and he vomited several times a week. Nothing seemed to help. Then his sister got him the help he needed.
By Lisa Sanders, M.D.
Was This Man’s Weakness Related to Recent Oral Surgery?
His doctor had darker suspicions.
By Lisa Sanders, M.D.
He Was Diagnosed With Lyme Disease. Why Did the Treatment Have No Effect?
Shortly after he retired, the man’s health began to fail him. An accidental finding on a CT scan revealed the true culprit.
By Lisa Sanders, M.D.
Was This a Recurrence of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma or Something Else?
“Go to the emergency room,” the doctor told him after hearing of his trip and fever, rash and whole-body weakness. “You need to be seen.”
By Lisa Sanders, M.D.
Her Strange Blisters Wouldn’t Go Away. What Was It?
It started with a bout of dry, itchy skin. Soon everything hurt. A specialist found a way to find some relief.
By Lisa Sanders, M.D.
She Had Constant Fevers and Her Feet Were Swelling. What Was It?
All her tests were normal. Soon she felt too sick to go to work.
By Lisa Sanders, M.D.
This Was No Ordinary Sunburn. What Was Wrong?
The man always loved to bask in the sun. Now, at 80, the rays were making his skin red and itchy.
By Lisa Sanders, M.D.
Her Symptoms Suggested Long Covid. But Was That Too Obvious?
Doctors make assumptions about a case — and those assumptions can sometimes cloud their judgment.
By Lisa Sanders, M.D.