Paradoxical fat embolism after uncemented total hip arthroplasty : A case report


Published online: Jun 27 2007

Emmanuel Thienpont, Samir Kaddar, Stuart Morrison

From the Hôpital Français – Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium

Abstract

The authors report a paradoxical presentation of fat embolism after uncemented total hip arthroplasty. The patient presented vertigo and diplopia after surgery. Cerebral fat embolism was diagnosed by MRI. A patent foramen ovale was responsible for the venous to arterial circulation shunt. Treatment was conservative. Spontaneous and complete recovery occurred.