Clinics in diagnostic imaging (184). Fat embolism syndrome (FES).
- Author:
Dinesh R SINGH
1
;
Ashish CHAWLA
1
;
Wilfred Cg PEH
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- Keywords: altered mental state; fat embolism syndrome; hypoxia; petechial haemorrhages
- MeSH: Brain; pathology; Dyspnea; Embolism, Fat; diagnostic imaging; Femoral Fractures; diagnostic imaging; Humans; Hypoxia; India; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Pulmonary Embolism; Thrombocytopenia; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Young Adult
- From:Singapore medical journal 2018;59(3):159-162
- CountrySingapore
- Language:English
- Abstract: A 23-year-old Indian man presented with shortness of breath and new-onset confusion along with a rash on his chest on Postoperative Day 2, following internal fixation of his femur fracture. Although computed tomography pulmonary angiography was negative for filling defects in the pulmonary vasculature, it showed mosaic attenuation changes with some interlobular septal thickening. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed patchy signal abnormalities, predominantly in the grey-white matter junction region with extensive susceptibility artefacts, consistent with petechial haemorrhages. The laboratory work-up showed thrombocytopenia and anaemia. A diagnosis of fat embolism syndrome was established, based on the clinical presentation combined with laboratory and imaging findings. The clinical and imaging features of fat embolism syndrome are discussed.
