Pulmonary embolism is the obstruction of the pulmonary artery or its branches, commonly by thrombus or fat. We report an unusual case of double pathology - both pulmonary thromboembolism and fat embolism syndrome in a patient with bilateral femur and bilateral tibia fractures. This highlights the importance of a high index of suspicion of these conditions while managing patients with multiple long bone fractures. Morbidity and mortality can be significantly reduced with prompt and appropriate prevention strategies.
Thromboembolism ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Embolism, Fat

No abstract available.
Diagnosis* ; Embolism, Fat* ; Humans

The fat embolism is often major camplication of major trauma and demands the attention of physicians treating patients with bony injury. We have experienced 5 cases of fat embolism. In all cases there was a latent period between injury and onset of symptoms. This varied from 16 hours to 48 hours. There was marked variation in clinical presentation and laboratory finidngs. One case was died of complication of fat embolism.
Embolism, Fat ; Humans

No abstract available.
Embolism, Fat* ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy*

BACKGROUND: A few studies have found that abnormal findings on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are useful for diagnosing cerebral fat embolism in the acute stage. CASE REPORT: We applied serial MRI to a case of cerebral fat embolism with cognitive impairment lasting for 2 months. Although marked resolution of the previous abnormal findings was demonstrated, T2*-weighted gradient-echo MRI revealed multiple tiny lesions. CONCLUSIONS:We suggest that T2*-weighted gradient-echo MRI is useful in defining the clinical severity of patients with cerebral fat embolism.
Embolism ; Embolism, Fat ; Humans ; Intracranial Embolism ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

No abstract available.
Embolism, Fat* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy*

We report thin-section CT findings of pulmonary fat embolism which was confirmed by clinical features and microscopic examination of cells obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage. Initial thin-section CT showed extensive air space consolidation and multiple ill-defined nodular densities in both lungs. Follow-up CT revealed ground-glass appearance and faint nodules in both lungs. Perfusion scan showed multiple small perfusion defects in the peripheral portion of both lungs.
Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Embolism, Fat* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Lung ; Perfusion

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is a clinical manifestation that consists of multiple organ dysfunction due to fat emboli. FES occurs as a complication after trauma or procedures such as surgery. The diagnostic criteria of FES have not yet been established, so clinical criteria are used for its diagnosis. The clinical course of acute fulminant FES can be rapid. Liposuction surgery, in which adipocytes are mechanically disrupted, is one cause of FES. As the number of liposuction surgeries increases, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of FES. This was the first report of a case of acute fulminant FES with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome after liposuction surgery, in Korea.
Adipocytes ; Diagnosis ; Embolism, Fat* ; Korea ; Lipectomy* ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult

PURPOSE: Many articles have proposed that osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is caused by fat embolism or intravascular coagulation linked to hyperlipidemia. To determine whether hyperlipidemia is an associated factor for ONFH, serum lipid levels were measured. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nighty-eight patients presenting with ONFH and 110 controls were investigated. We compared the average value of serum lipid levels and the incidence of hyperlipidemia of the two groups. RESULTS: ONFH group showed generalized increase in lipid level and statistically significant difference in the average value of total cholesterol (P=0.0001), HDL-cholesterol (P=0.0261) and phospholipid (P=0.0465) compared with the control. The incidence of hyperlipidemia of the two groups showed statistically significant difference in HDL-cholesterol (P=0.019) and triglyceride (P=0.024). CONCLUSION: Hyperlipidemia seems to be associated with pathogenesis of ONFH. We speculated that hyperlipidemia might be a contributing factor of ONFH. Hyperlipidemia may play a role as a triggering factor in the pathogenetic process that results in osteonecrosis. However, it can not be ruled out that secondary hyperlipidemia might be a finding following ONFH.
Cholesterol ; Embolism, Fat ; Head* ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Incidence ; Osteonecrosis* ; Triglycerides

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the CT findings of pulmonary fat embolism syndrome that was induced by triolein and oleic acid, along with its pathologic correlation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 16 rabbits were included in this study. The rabbits in group I (n=8) were embolized with 0.2 mL triolein and the rabbits of group II (n=8) were embolized with 0.2 mL oleic acid through ear veins. HRCT scans were done prior to embolization and at 0.5, 4, 24, 48 and 72 hours post-embolization. The pathologic correlations were determined at 0.5, 24, 48 and 72 hours. RESULTS: At 24 hours, one group I rabbit showed abnormal CT findings that were composed of several 2-3 mm nodules and multiple ill-defined peripheral ground glass opacities. The pathologic finding of this rabbit at 48 hours was mainly intraarveolar edema. All the group II rabbits (n=8/8) showed ill-defined bilateral and peripheral ground glass opacities with (n=6/8) or without consolidations (n=2/8) on the 0.5 hour CT. All the rabbits (n=7/7) showed that the new ground glass opacities and ground glass opacities noted on the 0.5 hour CT were changed into consolidation. The margins of the ground glass opacities and consolidations were more sharpened on the 24 hours CT. All 6 rabbits (n=6/6) showed consolidations without ground glass opacities and the margins of the consolidations were more sharpened on the 48 hours CT. There was no significant interval change on the 72 hours CT. The pathologic findings of ground glass opacities were interstitial edema or mild intraalveolar edema. The pathologic findings of consolidation were intraalveolar edema, hemorrhage and coagulation necrosis. CONCLUSION: The CT findings after fat embolization using triolein and oleic acid were ill-defined peripheral ground glass opacities with/without consolidations. These findings occurred in only one triolein group with the time lag, but these findings were immediately and extensively seen in all group II rabbits. These CT findings may be important for making a diagnosis of pulmonary fat embolism syndrome.
Diagnosis ; Ear ; Edema ; Embolism, Fat* ; Glass ; Hemorrhage ; Necrosis ; Oleic Acid* ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Rabbits* ; Triolein* ; Veins