The Enhanced Doctor-Chapter 696 Anemia may be one of the symptoms

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"President Liu, the child’s nasal mucosa is pinkish, with no abnormalities. There doesn’t seem to be any issue with the sinuses either; no abnormalities detected. You should consider looking in other directions, as both the ear canal and nasal cavity are fine," Du Fancheng stated after the examination.

"President Liu, President Liu, the examination is over." Noticing that Liu Banxia, who was clasping his arm and pinching his chin, did not respond, Du Fancheng nudged him slightly.

"Oh, oh, I apologize. I was a little distracted. The examination is over, and everything is okay?" Liu Banxia, snapping back to attention, asked.

A look of discontent flashed across the child’s father’s face. His son was in such a state, and yet Dr. Liu was still capable of being distracted. However, he was more concerned about his son’s condition at the moment and couldn’t bring himself to argue with Liu Banxia for the time being.

"Dr. Liu, so there’s nothing wrong then?" the child’s mother cautiously asked.

"Hold on a moment. Jiajia, do you have a problem with gum bleeding?" Liu Banxia asked.

Jiajia nodded. "Yes, but it’s not serious. It only happens when I brush my teeth daily. I guess I brush too hard and have a bit of gingivitis?"

"Dr. Liu, we also consulted a dentist. The doctor said he just has some inflammation and to pay more attention to brushing and oral hygiene, but that it isn’t very serious," Jiajia’s mother added.

"Could you please focus on figuring out what is causing Jiajia’s encephalitis? We have checked his nose and ears, and there don’t seem to be any other issues. What else do we need to check?"

"Let’s wait for the latest blood test results to come out to see what’s causing the anemia," Liu Banxia suggested after some thought.

"Dr. Liu, are you out of ideas as well?" the child’s father asked, his tone displaying impatience.

"I have some guesses right now but am not yet overly confident, so we need to wait for the latest blood test results," Liu Banxia replied.

"Dr. Liu, just tell us directly whether it can be cured. If it can be treated here, we will continue the examinations. Just don’t do all the examinations and then tell us you still can’t find the cause of the disease," the child’s father demanded.

The mother, somewhat worried, tugged at his arm.

"I understand your feelings. Everything we are doing right now is to find the real cause of your son’s illness," Liu Banxia patiently explained.

"Let’s wait a little longer. Didn’t Doctor Peng say the results would be out soon?" Jiajia’s mother suggested.

Du Fancheng cast a glance at the calm Liu Banxia, starting to feel a bit anxious for him. It was clear that Jiajia’s father had become emotional due to Liu Banxia’s earlier distraction. If they were to be discharged right after admission and seek treatment at another hospital, the news would spread, making it even harder for Liu Banxia to become deputy director.

Thanks to the mother’s efforts to mediate, the father’s mood eased slightly. After leading Jiajia back to his ward, they waited for the blood test results.

"Banxia, what happened? Du Fancheng told me that the child’s parents are getting upset?" Peng Bo, who had received the news, also hurried over.

Liu Banxia nodded. "Let’s see what type of anemia it is, then decide what tests to perform next. I already have a general idea, but I can’t say for sure yet."

"Hmm... Even if the tests later confirm the diagnosis, let me be the one to explain. It’s not that I want to take credit; there are some unique circumstances in this family."

Peng Bo frowned. He, of course, knew that Liu Banxia would not deliberately come to him to hog the credit. There was no need, as the case had already been transferred to Neurology. Even if Liu Banxia provided the correct diagnostic approach, the credit would be his. To snatch it forcefully would be utterly redundant.

At this moment, Liu Banxia’s phone rang. Recognizing it as a call from Shi Lei, he quickly answered, "Boss, is there an emergency downstairs?"

"Are you busy right now? There’s a patient with acute abdominal pain in the emergency room, diagnosed with appendicitis. We’re planning to do a small-incision appendectomy," Shi Lei informed him.

"I see. Well then, see if Liu Yiqing or one of the others has time and have them do the preoperative preparations. I’m in the Neurology ward, dealing with a complicated patient," Liu Banxia replied.

"Also, send me the examination data. Once they are ready in the operating room, I’ll head right over. No perforation or exudate? Can a small incision be made?"

"There seems to be some exudate, but no perforation," Shi Lei said.

"Alright, arrange it like that. Send me the operating room number later. I’ll head directly there," Liu Banxia confirmed.

"You should hurry. But I still suggest discussing the option of laparoscopy with the patient; the appendix is quite swollen," Shi Lei cautioned.

"It’s okay. As long as it hasn’t ruptured, it can be removed," Liu Banxia reassured.

"After the appendectomy, I can leave earlier, leaving the rest of the suturing to them. It won’t delay my work here. But it’s almost lunchtime; can the Anesthesiology Department fit us in?"

"I’ll see. Anyway, you’re quick, so there shouldn’t be any problems. I’ll contact Wang Lei first; wait for my message," Shi Lei concluded before hanging up.

Liu Banxia hung up and rubbed his face. It was just one thing after another.

Normally, appendicitis patients receive anti-inflammatory treatment before surgery. This patient’s condition must be serious, requiring immediate surgery to prevent perforation from further delay. But this young patient here was also a case weighing on his mind. If he didn’t resolve it properly, serious problems could arise.

Less than five minutes later, Su Wenhao ran up. "Teacher Liu, Dr. Shi has reserved Operating Room 4. Teacher Li from Anesthesiology will be available for the surgery shortly."

"The patient is undergoing a rapid preoperative examination. I’ll head to the operating room first to prepare. This is your patient’s blood test report. It shows iron-deficiency anemia."

Liu Banxia nodded, taking the report. "I’ll be there in ten minutes."

Peng Bo asked, "Does it match what you were thinking?"

"Well, yes and no. It’s left me feeling somewhat conflicted," Liu Banxia replied with a bitter smile.

"Can’t you at least share your suspicion with me?" Peng Bo asked, feeling helpless.

"I suspect it’s Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia, but during the examination, some of the expected indicators weren’t very clear," Liu Banxia explained.

"Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia? Ah, you’re right, it could cause intracranial infection. Isn’t it simple then? Just ask his parents," said Peng Bo, suddenly intrigued.

"Wait, that doesn’t seem right. Logically, this is primarily a familial genetic disorder. You must have asked about family history before admission. It’s unlikely for their family to have no prior cases, with it only appearing in this generation," Peng Bo said, puzzled.

"That’s where it gets complicated. The child isn’t his father’s biological son, but he’s raised him as his own and kept this fact hidden from the child," Liu Banxia replied with a wry smile.

"During our nasal examination, we didn’t observe dilated blood vessels. However, the child frequently experiences gum bleeding."

"That’s why I wanted to determine the cause of his anemia. If it were ischemic anemia, we could directly perform a stool test and gastroscopy to see the situation."

"But the child has iron-deficiency anemia. With iron-deficiency anemia, the indicators aren’t as clear-cut. The father was quite emotional downstairs earlier, so performing a stool test and gastroscopy now would be risky."

This was his dilemma; he was unsure how to convey all of this to the child’s parents. He knew next to nothing about this family’s actual circumstances. If he voiced this speculation directly, it could very well shatter their family’s peace and stability. Moreover, if this disease were truly confirmed, the subsequent treatment would be incredibly challenging.

"Banxia, if I were you, I’d be honest with the parents about your suspicions," Peng Bo suggested.

"Based on the current situation, there are indeed certain indicators. Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia not only presents with symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding but also with iron-deficiency anemia."

Liu Banxia nodded. "We’re running out of time. I guess that’s our only option."

Then he walked to the door of the ward and motioned to the couple.

The couple quickly hurried outside the ward, their hearts in their throats. Anything that needed to be said away from the child was undoubtedly very important.

Liu Banxia mentally rephrased what he had just discussed with Peng Bo and then explained it to the couple.

Upon hearing his words, the couple’s expressions changed drastically, and the air grew heavy with tension.

"I already had this suspicion when we were downstairs, but with your son present, I couldn’t say it," Liu Banxia continued.

"I’m telling you this without any other intention. Dr. Peng and I both feel this speculation is a promising direction. Currently, the simplest diagnostic methods are a stool test and an endoscopy to check for bleeding in the upper digestive tract or occult blood in the stool."

"In childhood, this disease often manifests as frequent nosebleeds. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding during adolescence and young adulthood."

"If it were lower gastrointestinal bleeding, there would be bright red blood in the stool. Therefore, I suspect it’s upper gastrointestinal bleeding, which is less easily detected."

"I have another surgery to attend to shortly. Personally, I recommend that you start with the stool test. If the stool test reveals occult blood, we’ll proceed directly to an endoscopy."

"If it is indeed confirmed, the hospital will cooperate with you to explain it to your son. Alternatively, you can decide how you wish to tell him."

"Peng, I have to rush to the operating room. Once they make a decision, please help with the arrangements. I was initially just pondering the anemia, but now it’s highly likely the anemia itself is a symptom."

Peng Bo nodded. "Go ahead. I’ll call you if anything arises."

Preoperative check-ups for emergency surgeries are also very quick. Liu Banxia still needed to scrub in, so time was indeed tight.