What is a fat embolism called?
Fat emboli commonly occur after fractures to the long bones of the lower body, particularly the femur (thighbone), tibia (shinbone), and pelvis. While fat emboli are common and generally resolve on their own, they can lead to a serious condition called fat embolism syndrome (FES).
What are the three main clinical features of fat embolism?
Symptoms of fat embolism syndrome (FES) can start from 12 hours to 3 days after diagnosis of the underlying clinical disease. The three most characteristic features are: respiratory distress, neurological features, and skin petechiae.
What is the most common cause of fat embolism?
Fat embolism is most commonly associated with trauma. Long bone and pelvic fractures are the most frequent causes, followed by orthopedic surgery—particularly total hip arthroplasty—and multiple traumatic injuries. Soft tissue damage and burns can cause fat embolisms, although far less frequently than fracture.
What is the difference between fat embolism and pulmonary embolism?
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a foreign object disrupts the flow of the blood traveling to the lungs. This can affect breathing and circulation and may even be fatal. A fat embolism can cause a pulmonary embolism.
What are the two pathological types of fat embolism?
Fat embolism is classified into two pathological types: pulmonary embolism, which may occur as a separate entity, and systemic embolism, which is always associated with pulmonary embolism.
When do fat embolisms occur?
The clinical manifestations may develop 24–72 h after trauma (and especially after fractures) when fat droplets act as emboli, becoming impacted in the pulmonary microvasculature and other microvascular beds such as in the brain. Embolism begins rather slowly and attains a maximum in about 48 h.
What is a fat embolism and how does it occur?
The mechanical theory proposes that obstruction of the systemic vasculature by fat embolism occurs from the direct release of bone marrow into the venous system following trauma. An elevated intramedullary pressure following trauma leads to the release of fat through open venous sinusoids.
How does a fat embolism present?
Fat embolism is the presence of fat particles within the microcirculation, while FES is the systemic manifestation of fat emboli within the microcirculation. Common systemic manifestations include respiratory distress, altered mental status, and a rash. FES is most often associated with orthopedic trauma.
Where does fat embolism occur?
Fat emboli occur in all patients with long-bone fractures, but only few patients develop systemic dysfunction, particularly the triad of skin, brain, and lung dysfunction known as the fat embolism syndrome (FES). Here we review the FES literature under different subheadings. The incidence of FES varies from 1–29%.
What happens if you get a fat embolism?
Certain cases of fat embolisms can be very serious. They have the potential to block blood and oxygen from getting to your heart, lungs, or brain. This can cause a severe condition called fat embolism syndrome (FES). This is a life-threatening condition that needs swift medical attention.
Can you fix a fat embolism?
In patients with traumatic fat embolism syndrome, the prognosis depends on early open reduction and internal fixation of the long bone fracture. Most patients with adequate support therapy can recover from the neurological, respiratory, and retinal changes associated with fat embolism syndrome.
How do you fix a fat embolism?
Appropriate surgical technique, particularly in reaming or nailing the marrow, may help reduce the volume of fat embolization. Utilization of a vacuum or venting during reaming has been shown to decrease the incidence of fat embolization.
Is a fat embolism fatal?
Fat embolism syndrome is a dire complication of long bone trauma. It is usually associated with neurological, hematological and respiratory involvement, the latter being the major cause of death.
Can a fat embolism cause a stroke?
The diagnosis of fat embolism syndrome typically involves neurological, respiratory and dermatological manifestations of microvascular occlusion 24–72 h after a precipitating event. However, fat embolism causing cerebral large vessel occlusion strokes and their sequelae have rarely been reported in the literature.
How long does it take for a fat embolism to form?
Fat embolism syndrome usually happens within 2 to 3 days after a major bone break or other types of trauma. But it can happen as soon as 12 hours after an injury. The main symptoms include the following: Trouble breathing.
Can a fat embolism go to the brain?
The neurological symptoms can be focal or diffuse,[2] and most of the times exist with respiratory symptoms. There are only few reports of FES without pulmonary involvement, and in most of the cases, it is reversible with dramatic recovery. There exists only one report in which fat embolism led to brain death.
How long does it take to recover from a fat embolism?
Complete neurological recovery has been reported in many case reports at 3 weeks to 4 months after the initial insult. Our two patients also had delayed, but complete recovery after 5 and 6 months respectively.
Can fat embolism cause stroke?