Fat Embolism Syndrome – A Case Report with Literature Review

Abstract

Background: The fat embolism syndrome (FES) has been considered a diagnostic enigma since its first description over a century ago. Varying degree of presentation along with absence of specific diagnostic criteria or a scoring system makes it difficult to be diagnosed. Simple fat embolism may be a pathologic finding with variable clinical significance; patients with the FES have fat emboli in multiple organs, causing extensive organ dysfunction. While most patients with FES fully recover, there is an estimated 5to15percent mortality rate. There is no wide accepted specific treatment beyond aggressive supportive care. Case Report: A 72 year old Caucasian female presented with dyspnea, hypoxia and altered mental status within 24 hours of admission for an inferior pubic rami fracture secondary to fall. Patient required intubation and mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure. An Echocardiogram revealed Right Ventricular strain and MRI of the brain showed multiple acute/subacute infarcts, which supported a diagnosis of FES, especially as pulmonary embolism was deemed less likely with a negative CT Chest Angiogram and US Doppler of Legs. The patient gradually recovered with supportive care, successfully extubated with eventually discharged after thirty days of hospitalization. Conclusion: Fat emboli syndrome has a variable degree of presentation, ranging from mild symptoms to severe multiorgan involvement that can ultimately be fatal. It can also be associated with longterm morbidity which emphasizes the need for rapid precise diagnosis and management.