Journal of Trauma and Injury

The Korean Society of Traumatology (대한외상학회)
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Cerebral Fat Embolism That Was Initially Negative on Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging

  • Go, Seung Je (Department of Trauma Surgery, Trauma Center of Daejeon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University) ;
  • Mun, Yun Su (Department of Trauma Surgery, Trauma Center of Daejeon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University) ;
  • Bang, Seung Ho (Department of Trauma Surgery, Trauma Center of Daejeon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University) ;
  • Cha, Yong Han (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Trauma Center of Daejeon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University) ;
  • Sul, Young Hoon (Department of Trauma Surgery, Trauma Center of Chungbuk National University Hospital) ;
  • Ye, Jin Bong (Department of Trauma Surgery, Trauma Center of Chungbuk National University Hospital) ;
  • Kim, Jae Guk (Department of Neurology, Daejeon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University)
  • Received : 2020.05.11
  • Accepted : 2020.10.06
  • Published : 2021.06.30
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Abstract

Fat embolism syndrome is a rare, but serious condition that occurs in patients with fractures of the long bones or who undergo orthopedic surgery. The main clinical features of fat embolism syndrome are an altered mental status, hypoxia, and petechial rash. Cerebral fat embolism is the most severe manifestation of fat embolism syndrome because it can lead to an altered mental status. The diagnosis of cerebral fat embolism is clinical, but brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) is helpful. There is usually an interval until symptoms, such as an altered mental status, develop after trauma. We report a case of cerebral fat embolism in which the patient's mental status deteriorated several hours after trauma and the initial findings were negative on diffusion-weighted MRI.

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References

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