Microscopic section of the lungs showing a blood vessel with fibrinoid material and an empty space indicative of the presence of lipid dissolved during the staining process. Haematoxylin and eosin stain
Specialty
Orthopedics, traumatology, pulmonology, intensive care medicine
Symptoms
Petechial rash, decreased level of consciousness, shortness of breath[1]
Bone fracture, pancreatitis, bone marrow transplant, liposuction[3]
Diagnostic method
Based on symptoms[2]
Differential diagnosis
Pulmonary embolism, pneumonia[2]
Prevention
Early stabilization of long bone fractures
Treatment
Supportive care[4]
Prognosis
10% risk of death[2]
Frequency
Rare[4]
Fat embolism syndrome occurs when fat enters the blood stream (fat embolism) and results in symptoms.[1] Symptoms generally begin within a day.[1] This may include a petechial rash, decreased level of consciousness, and shortness of breath.[1] Other symptoms may include fever and decreased urine output.[2] The risk of death is about 10%.[2]
Fat embolism most commonly occurs as a result of fractures of bones such as the femur or pelvis.[3][1] Other potential causes include pancreatitis, orthopedic surgery, bone marrow transplant, and liposuction.[3][2] The underlying mechanism involves widespread inflammation.[3] Diagnosis is based on symptoms.[2]
Treatment is mostly supportive care.[4] This may involve oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids, albumin, and mechanical ventilation.[2] While small amounts of fat commonly occur in the blood after a bone fracture,[3] fat embolism syndrome is rare.[4] The condition was first diagnosed in 1862 by Zenker.[1]
^ abcdefgAkhtar, S (September 2009). "Fat embolism". Anesthesiology Clinics. 27 (3): 533–50, table of contents. doi:10.1016/j.anclin.2009.07.018. PMID 19825491.
^ abcdefghiLaurence, Knott (19 February 2014). "Fat embolism syndrome". patient.info. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
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