Fat embolism syndrome overview

	Fat embolism syndrome Microchapters
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Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Fat embolism syndrome from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
Chest X Ray
CT
MRI
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
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Case #1
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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

[Disease name] was first discovered by [scientist name], a [nationality + occupation], in [year] during/following [event].
In [year], [gene] mutations were first identified in the pathogenesis of [disease name].
In [year], the first [discovery] was developed by [scientist] to treat/diagnose [disease name].

Classification

[Disease name] may be classified according to [classification method] into [number] subtypes/groups:

[group1]
[group2]
[group3]

Other variants of [disease name] include [disease subtype 1], [disease subtype 2], and [disease subtype 3].

Pathophysiology

The pathogenesis of [disease name] is characterized by [feature1], [feature2], and [feature3].
The [gene name] gene/Mutation in [gene name] has been associated with the development of [disease name], involving the [molecular pathway] pathway.
On gross pathology, [feature1], [feature2], and [feature3] are characteristic findings of [disease name].
On microscopic histopathological analysis, [feature1], [feature2], and [feature3] are characteristic findings of [disease name].

Causes

[Disease name] may be caused by either [cause1], [cause2], or [cause3].
[Disease name] is caused by a mutation in the [gene1], [gene2], or [gene3] gene[s].
There are no established causes for [disease name].

Differentiating [disease name] from other Diseases

[Disease name] must be differentiated from other diseases that cause [clinical feature 1], [clinical feature 2], and [clinical feature 3], such as:

[Differential dx1]
[Differential dx2]
[Differential dx3]

Epidemiology and Demographics

The prevalence of [disease name] is approximately [number or range] per 100,000 individuals worldwide.
In [year], the incidence of [disease name] was estimated to be [number or range] cases per 100,000 individuals in [location].

Age

Patients of all age groups may develop [disease name].

[Disease name] is more commonly observed among patients aged [age range] years old.
[Disease name] is more commonly observed among [elderly patients/young patients/children].

Gender

[Disease name] affects men and women equally.

[Gender 1] are more commonly affected with [disease name] than [gender 2].
The [gender 1] to [Gender 2] ratio is approximately [number > 1] to 1.

Race

There is no racial predilection for [disease name].

[Disease name] usually affects individuals of the [race 1] race.
[Race 2] individuals are less likely to develop [disease name].

Risk Factors

Common risk factors in the development of [disease name] are [risk factor 1], [risk factor 2], [risk factor 3], and [risk factor 4].

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

The majority of patients with [disease name] remain asymptomatic for [duration/years].
Early clinical features include [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].
If left untreated, [#%] of patients with [disease name] may progress to develop [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].
Common complications of [disease name] include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
Prognosis is generally [excellent/good/poor], and the [1/5/10year mortality/survival rate] of patients with [disease name] is approximately [#%].

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Criteria

The diagnosis of [disease name] is made when at least [number] of the following [number] diagnostic criteria are met:

[criterion 1]
[criterion 2]
[criterion 3]
[criterion 4]

Symptoms

[Disease name] is usually asymptomatic.
Symptoms of [disease name] may include the following:

[symptom 1]
[symptom 2]
[symptom 3]
[symptom 4]
[symptom 5]
[symptom 6]

Physical Examination

Patients with [disease name] usually appear [general appearance].
Physical examination may be remarkable for:

[finding 1]
[finding 2]
[finding 3]
[finding 4]
[finding 5]
[finding 6]

Laboratory Findings

There are no specific laboratory findings associated with [disease name].

A [positive/negative] [test name] is diagnostic of [disease name].
An [elevated/reduced] concentration of [serum/blood/urinary/CSF/other] [lab test] is diagnostic of [disease name].
Other laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of [disease name] include [abnormal test 1], [abnormal test 2], and [abnormal test 3].

Imaging Findings

There are no [imaging study] findings associated with [disease name].

[Imaging study 1] is the imaging modality of choice for [disease name].
On [imaging study 1], [disease name] is characterized by [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
[Imaging study 2] may demonstrate [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

Other Diagnostic Studies

[Disease name] may also be diagnosed using [diagnostic study name].
Findings on [diagnostic study name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

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].

References