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Updated: Dec 23 2021

Fat Embolus Syndrome

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https://upload.medbullets.com/topic/121868/images/screen shot 2016-12-16 at 3.09.51 pm.jpg
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  • Snapshot
    • A 40-year-old woman presents to the emergency room after a liposuction procedure done two days ago. She is dyspneic and found to be hypoxemic. She has difficulty speaking but notes that the shortness of breath came on suddenly. She then becomes confused and disoriented to place and time. She develops weakness on the right arm that resolves after a few hours. There is no petechial rash seen.
  • Introduction
    • Fat embolism syndrome results from fat emboli often associated with long bone fractures
    • Occurs around 1-3 days after instigating event
    • Classic triad
      • hypoxemia
      • neurological abnormalities
      • petechial rash (only 20-50% of cases)
  • ETIOLOGY
    • Pathogenesis – not completely elucidated
      • globules of fat escape bone marrow-rich areas (long bones and pelvis) after trauma
      • transferred to arterial circulation
        • through patent foramen ovale (most close after birth, but few remain patent)
        • if emboli are small enough, can pass from venous to arterial circulation through lungs
    • Associated conditions/risk factors
      • trauma
      • long bone fracture
      • pelvic fractures
      • liposuction
      • CPR
  • Presentation
    • Symptoms
      • acute shortness of breath
        • occlusion of pulmonary vessels
      • petechiae in neck, chest, and axilla
        • occlusion of dermal capillaries by fat emboli
        • resolves in 5-7 days
      • altered mental status
        • occlusion of neurological vessels
        • confusion
        • seizures
        • focal deficits
        • typically fully reversible
  • IMAGING
    • Chest radiography typically normal
    • MRI may show high intensity T2 signal, which indicates neurologic impairment
  • STUDIES
    • Biopsy if clinical diagnosis is unclear
  • Differential Diagnosis
    • ARDS
    • Acute lung injury
  • DIAGNOSIS
    • Diagnosis by clinical history and exam
  • Treatment
    • Supportive care
    • Corticosteroids may be beneficial in life-threatening cases
      • limited evidence
  • Prognosis
    • Most patients recover without any sequelae
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