Fatal fat embolism syndrome in a case of isolated L1 vertebral fracture-dislocation

Abstract

Although fat embolism syndrome is a well-known complication of fractures of the long bones or pelvis, fat embolism syndrome occurring subsequent to fracture of the lumbar spine is rare. We report a fatal case of fat embolism syndrome characterized by fat and bone marrow embolism that occurred 36 h after an isolated fracture-dislocation of the L1 vertebra. A postmortem examination was performed and pathological finding demonstrated fat and bone marrow tissue which were disseminated in the bilateral pulmonary arteries. We need to be aware of the possibility of fat embolism syndrome as a complication of spinal fractures, including isolated vertebral body fractures.