Fat embolism syndrome overview: Difference between revisions
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{{Fat embolism syndrome}} | {{Fat embolism syndrome}} | ||
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
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The causes of fat embolism syndrome can be divided into [[Physical trauma|trauma]] and non-trauma related. The most common cause of fat embolism syndrome is long bone fracture especially the femur. Other causes include [[Orthopedic surgery|orthopedic]] procedures, liposuction, pelvic [[Bone fracture|fractures]] and [[Soft tissue|soft]] tissue injury. | The causes of fat embolism syndrome can be divided into [[Physical trauma|trauma]] and non-trauma related. The most common cause of fat embolism syndrome is long bone fracture especially the femur. Other causes include [[Orthopedic surgery|orthopedic]] procedures, liposuction, pelvic [[Bone fracture|fractures]] and [[Soft tissue|soft]] tissue injury. | ||
==Differentiating | ==Differentiating Fat Embolism Syndrome from other Diseases== | ||
==Epidemiology and Demographics== | ==Epidemiology and Demographics== | ||
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=== Chest X-ray === | === Chest X-ray === | ||
Chest X-ray in fat embolism syndrome is done in fat embolism to rule out the complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and any other possible diagnosis, for example, pulmonary embolism or pulmonary edema. It takes 12-24 hours for the abnormalities to appear on chest X-ray which include bilateral air space opacities, snow-storm appearance, increased pulmonary vascular markings and dilated right heart. | Chest X-ray in fat embolism syndrome is done in fat embolism to rule out the complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and any other possible diagnosis, for example, pulmonary embolism or pulmonary edema. It takes 12-24 hours for the abnormalities to appear on chest X-ray which include bilateral air space opacities, snow-storm appearance, increased pulmonary vascular markings and dilated right heart. | ||
=== CT Scan === | |||
High resolution computed tomopraphy (HRCT) of the lung shows thickening of the [[Interlobular arteries|interlobular]] septa, bilateral ground-glass opacities and centrilobular nodular opacities. CT scan of the head is also done in patients with [[Neurology|neurological]] deficits. | |||
=== MRI === | |||
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is performed in patients in patients with [[Neurology|neurological]] deficits and shows the following reversible abnormalilties such as "starfield" pattern of diffuse, punctate, hyperintense lesions | |||
=== Echocardiogram === | |||
Echocardiography may be helpful in the diagnosis of fat embolism syndrome. Findings of fat embolism syndrome include demonstartion of echogenic material passing through the right atrium followed by increased pulmonary pressures and right heart pressures and subsequent paradoxical embolization of this material through a [[patent foramen ovale]] (PFO). | |||
=== Other Imaging Findings === | |||
Pulmonary ventilation/perfusion scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of fat embolism syndrome. Findings include demonstration of multiple subsegmental perfusion defects. | |||
=== Other diagnostic studies === | |||
There are no other diagnostic studies done to diagnose fat embolism syndrome. | |||
== Treatment == | == Treatment == | ||
Revision as of 14:16, 6 April 2018
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Feham Tariq, MD [2]
Overview
A fat embolism is a type of embolism that is often (but not always) caused by physical trauma. Fat emboli can occur whenever there is a pulmonary embolism. The fat embolism syndrome (FES) is characterized by the triad of hypoxemia, mental status changes and petechiae. The syndrome is usually trauma related and seen with closed fractures of the long bones or pelvis.
Historical Perspective
In 1861, Zenker first discovered fat embolism (FES), after he found pulmonary capillary fat deposition in a patient who suffered from crush injury. In 1873, Bergmann described the first clinical case of FES in a patient who suffered a distal femur fracture. In 1875, Czerny explored cerebralsymptoms associated with FES.
Classification
There is no established system for the classification of fat embolism syndrome.
Pathophysiology
Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is the presence of fat globules in the circulation post traumatic insult which can lodge into the small sized capillaries in the lung, brain and skin leading to devastating clinical manifestations. The two widely accepted theories which explain the pathophysiology of FES are mechanical and biochemical theory. The mechanical theory proposes that there is mechanical obstruction by fat cells from the bone marrow in the end-capillaries after trauma. Biochemical theory attributes the clinical manifestations of FES to the pro inflammatory effect of fat emboli.
Causes
The causes of fat embolism syndrome can be divided into trauma and non-trauma related. The most common cause of fat embolism syndrome is long bone fracture especially the femur. Other causes include orthopedic procedures, liposuction, pelvic fractures and soft tissue injury.
Differentiating Fat Embolism Syndrome from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
The risk factors playing an important role in the development of fat embolism are blunt trauma, acute pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, long bone fractures and liposuction.
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Fat embolism syndrome commonly occurs 12-24 hrs after the inciting event. It can occur as early as 12 hrs and as late as 2 weeks. Patients are often dyspneic, tachypneic and hypoxic. Complications of fat embolism syndrome include disseminated intravascular coagulation, right ventricular dysfunction, acute respiratory distress syndrome and shock. Most patients recover with supportive treatment. Mortality occurs in 5-15% of patients.
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
A detailed history and early detection of symptoms is vital for the diagnosis of fat embolism (FES). It is entirely a clinical diagnosis. Patients with fat embolism may have a positive history of long bone fracture, orthopedic procedure, plastic surgical procedure or parenteral lipid transfusion. The symptoms may take 24-48 hours to become apparent and can be categorized as pulmonary, neurological and cutaneous symptoms.
Physical Examination
Fat embolism syndrome(FES) is characterized by multisystem dysfunction most commonly presents in 12 to 72 hours after the initial insult. It is a clinical diagnosis and requires high degree of suspicion. The classic triad of clinical manifestations are petechiae, hypoxemia and neurological abnormalities. Pulmonary manifestations are the most common initial signs of FES and include dyspnea, tachypnea, hypoxemia, and respiratory failure of which the hypoxemia is the earliest feature that . Other findings on physical examination are retinal exudates, scotomatas and intravascular fat globules.
Laboratory Findings
Laboratory tests are not done commonly to diagnose fat embolism. However, the most commonly seen findings are anemia, thrombocytopenia and lipidura.
Electrocardiogram
There are no electrocardiogram(ECG) findings associated with fat embolism syndrome.
Chest X-ray
Chest X-ray in fat embolism syndrome is done in fat embolism to rule out the complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and any other possible diagnosis, for example, pulmonary embolism or pulmonary edema. It takes 12-24 hours for the abnormalities to appear on chest X-ray which include bilateral air space opacities, snow-storm appearance, increased pulmonary vascular markings and dilated right heart.
CT Scan
High resolution computed tomopraphy (HRCT) of the lung shows thickening of the interlobular septa, bilateral ground-glass opacities and centrilobular nodular opacities. CT scan of the head is also done in patients with neurological deficits.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is performed in patients in patients with neurological deficits and shows the following reversible abnormalilties such as "starfield" pattern of diffuse, punctate, hyperintense lesions
Echocardiogram
Echocardiography may be helpful in the diagnosis of fat embolism syndrome. Findings of fat embolism syndrome include demonstartion of echogenic material passing through the right atrium followed by increased pulmonary pressures and right heart pressures and subsequent paradoxical embolization of this material through a patent foramen ovale (PFO).
Other Imaging Findings
Pulmonary ventilation/perfusion scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of fat embolism syndrome. Findings include demonstration of multiple subsegmental perfusion defects.
Other diagnostic studies
There are no other diagnostic studies done to diagnose fat embolism syndrome.
Treatment
Medical Therapy
- There is no treatment for [disease name]; the mainstay of therapy is supportive care.
- The mainstay of therapy for [disease name] is [medical therapy 1] and [medical therapy 2].
- [Medical therapy 1] acts by [mechanism of action 1].
- Response to [medical therapy 1] can be monitored with [test/physical finding/imaging] every [frequency/duration].
Surgery
- Surgery is the mainstay of therapy for [disease name].
- [Surgical procedure] in conjunction with [chemotherapy/radiation] is the most common approach to the treatment of [disease name].
- [Surgical procedure] can only be performed for patients with [disease stage] [disease name].
Prevention
- There are no primary preventive measures available for [disease name].
- Effective measures for the primary prevention of [disease name] include [measure1], [measure2], and [measure3].
- Once diagnosed and successfully treated, patients with [disease name] are followed-up every [duration]. Follow-up testing includes [test 1], [test 2], and [test 3].