Fat Embolism: Case Report

Fat embolism syndrome is a rare disorder which usually may be seen as a complication of long bone trauma. It becomes apparent 24-72 hours after injury with respiratory, neurological, urinary, ocular and cutaneous symptoms and sings. Our case is a 46 years old male patient who evaluated 30 hours after left tibia fracture for confusion, fever, dyspnea, tachypnea and a petechial rash on the anterior chest and anterior axillary folds. Chest radiograph was normal. The patient had hypoxemia and hypocapnia in arterial blood gases measurement. Ventilation perfusion scintigraphy revealed emboli with intermediate probability. No other etiology could be found to explain the state of confusion. Cotton-wool exudates and small haemorrhages were observed in retina. Many fat globules were found in urine samples. After steroid treatment, rapid clinical improvement was observed.