Fat embolism syndrome and massive middle cerebral artery occlusion: a case report

Keywords:

embolism, Fat, fractures, bone, middle cerebral artery, embolectomy


Published online: Oct 21 2024

https://doi.org/10.52628/90.2.12425

B. WATTIAUX1, M. CARLIER2, P. VANACKER3, V. REMICHE4, G. VANDERWEERDEN1

1 Department of Anesthesia, Centre Hospitalier de Wallonie Picarde (CHwapi), Tournai, Belgium
² Department of Orthopedia, Centre Hospitalier de Wallonie Picarde (CHwapi), Tournai, Belgium
3 Department of Neurology, Groeninge Hospital, Kortrijk, Belgium
4 Department of Radiology, Centre Hospitalier de Wallonie Picarde (CHwapi), Tournai, Belgium

Abstract

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is common with bones fractures. It often involves several symptoms like respiratory distress, neurological impairment, and cutaneous rash. The symptoms often start after several hours or days after the trauma or the bone reduction. Neurological damages can be seen better with MRI and the pattern is most of the time a diffuse one but changes according to timing. In our case, the symptoms started in the recovery ward and a complete flow interruption by adipose material was seen in the left middle cerebral artery.

ActaOrthopBelg-90-1-Cover

About this issue

Volume 90, issue 2.

Jun 2024.

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