Fire Chicken
Length: 1-3 Hours
Discipline: Biological Sciences
Level: Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
Author: Tallitsch, Robert
“Choi In Sung, 32-year-old male of Asian descent, presents to his family physician to seek treatment for chest pains. The patient appears frustrated and apprehensive. When questioned by the physician the patient provides the following information:
The patient has been experiencing what he initially thought was indigestion following a dinner at his fiancée’s house. When questioned further by the physician Mr. Choi explains that his fiance, who is of European descent, is trying to learn how to stir fry. Her dish (Fire Chicken) was highly spicy, and Mr. Choi had encountered indigestion following the meal. However, when the indigestion continued for 48 hours Mr. Choi felt he should see a physician.
Upon further questioning it is determined that the pain is localized to the center of the chest at approximately mid-sternal level.
Students then follow Mr. Choi through a subsequent clinical visit and are asked to theorize as to the patient’s diagnosis and answer several anatomically related questions.
This problem is an adaptation of Case IV.9: The Case of Bruce Hicks published in Gross Anatomy in the Practice of Medicine by F.J. Slaby, S.K. McCune and R.W. Summers. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1994″