Pulmonary and cerebral fat embolism syndrome after total knee replacement

J Clin Med Res. 2013 Jun;5(3):239-42. doi: 10.4021/jocmr1251w. Epub 2013 Apr 23.

Abstract

Fat embolism occurs after long bone fracture or orthopedic surgery and usually shows mild symptom. But it rarely results in fat embolism syndrome, presenting as multiorgan dysfunction such as lung, brain and skin. Although the diagnosis of fat embolism syndrome is mostly based on clinical features, we experienced fat embolism syndrome involving lung and brain, showing typical imaging findings in pulmonary computed tomography and brain magnetic resonance image. So we present interesting case about fat embolism syndrome after total knee replacement with reviewing associated literatures including imaging findings.

Keywords: Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging; Fat embolism syndrome; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Tomography; X-Ray Computed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports