Fatal Fat Embolism

Description: Altaf Hussain: A Fatal Fat Embolism. The Internet Journal of Anesthesiology. 2004. Volume 8 Number 2.
Fat Embolism and the associated Fat Embolic Syndrome is a serious and potentially life threatening condition. It tends to occur most frequently after fractures or intramedullary instrumentation of long bones particularly the femur and tibia. Some other non-traumatic conditions such as Diabetes Mellitus sever Burns, SLE and Pancreatitis etc. can also result in Fat Embolic Syndrome. Young adults irrespective of sex are commonly affected. Its classical presentation consists of an asymptomatic interval followed by pulmonary and neurological manifestations combined with petechail haemorrhages. The diagnosis largerly depends on high index of suspicions and exclusion of other conditions. Treatment of this condition remains supportive. Mortality associated with this condition is significant, ranging from 10-20 %. Here is a description of such a fatal case.