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Fat embolism syndrome laboratory findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Feham Tariq, MD [2]

Overview

Laboratory tests are not done commonly to diagnose fat embolism. However, the most commonly seen findings are anemia, thrombocytopenia and lipidura.

Laboratory Findings

Common Laboratory Findings:

The most commonly seen laboratory findings in fat embolism include:

In some cases, fat embolism syndrome is associated with elevations in the following laboratory values:[1][2]

References

  1. Kao, Shang Jyh; Yeh, Diana Yu-Wung; Chen, Hsing I. (2007). “Clinical and pathological features of fat embolism with acute respiratory distress syndrome”. Clinical Science. 113 (6): 279–285. doi:10.1042/CS20070011. ISSN 0143-5221.
  2. Bulger EM, Smith DG, Maier RV, Jurkovich GJ (1997). “Fat embolism syndrome. A 10-year review”. Arch Surg. 132 (4): 435–9. PMID 9108767.
  3. Prakash S, Sen RK, Tripathy SK, Sen IM, Sharma RR, Sharma S (2013). “Role of interleukin-6 as an early marker of fat embolism syndrome: a clinical study”. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 471 (7): 2340–6. doi:10.1007/s11999-013-2869-y. PMC 3676609. PMID 23423626.

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