In this four-part series, Michael Mosley assembles 12 of the UK’s leading medical experts to diagnose patients with life-changing symptoms that have baffled other doctors. Each expert specialises in a different field and each has their own analysis about what might be wrong. By combining their knowledge, and using cutting-edge technology to test their theories, they’ll try to solve these complex medical mysteries and finally give their patients the answers they desperately need.
Episode one
Paul’s dreams of a happy retirement have been ruined since his face started swelling so dramatically that he struggles to see. He’s been to multiple specialists but no one has given him a diagnosis and his family are desperately worried. "It’s distressing", says his daughter. "Is it something life threatening? We don’t know."
For the team, this is a complex case with multiple lines of investigation. Three experts agree to led the case. Rheumatologist Dr Stephanie Barrett wants to search for evidence of an autoimmune condition; Dermatologist Dr Sharon Wong believes it could be an allergic reaction; and Professor of Respiratory Medicine Ian Pavord will investigate whether there’s a blockage in a major vein, perhaps caused by cancer. As the team investigate, further worrying possibilities are added to the list, including tuberculosis and leprosy.
While the team try to help Paul, Michael presents them with another unusual case. Judy’s problems began in 2007 when she started being sick and finding swallowing uncomfortable. She’s now reached a point where she struggles to eat solid food and has lost 10 kilos in the last three months. Her family are fearing the worst. “She is just skin and bone. It’s just going to kill her,” says daughter Jayne.
The team offer various theories but Gastroenterologist, Dr Ray Shidwari, is convinced he’s seen this rare condition before. In fact, he’s so confident he can solve the case he wants to take it on alone.
Picture: patient Paul Bolakee during a consultation
Dr Barrett says:
It was a surprise and pleasure to be chosen as one of the Diagnosis Detectives, in the recent BBC 2 factual medical series.
In my view the real stars of the show, were the amazing patients. I got to know Katie with hypermobile Ehlers Danlos (EDS) syndrome and Carys, who had Adult Onset Still’s disease (AOSD). These are very rare conditions and there is no specific blood test to confirm or refute the diagnoses. Clinical acumen and experience in rheumatology training, lead to recall of specific patterns of symptoms and signs which fit these diagnoses. This gives them even more mystery in the general medical world. It can be years before a diagnosis is reached in so many conditions, familiar to the rheumatologist. As one of my colleagues put it beautifully “patients must be believed and heard”.
Without this partnership from the medical profession, it can be a soul destroying time going from specialty to specialty. This is why the DD programme is so important as a model, for the multi disciplinary approach, which works best for the patients.
We also had a great team leader, Dr Michael Moseley, who is one of the best medical communicators I have met. We all became good friends and still share a WhatsApp group. A great example of team working and enduring friendships.
