Developer site: The content shown here is test data.

MyEClinic
MyEClinic
Health Dictionary AI Health Chat Find an Online Doctor
A serene Zen garden with raked sand and smooth stones, symbolising clarity and calm

Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

Back to skin conditions

Fat embolism syndrome history and symptoms

Introduction

Overview

Overview

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.

History and Symptoms

History and Symptoms

History

Patients with fat embolism may have a positive history of:[1][2][3][4][5]

Symptoms

It usually takes 24-48 hours after the injury for the physical symptoms to become apparent. The symptoms of fat embolism syndrome can be divided into four categories:[6][7][8]

Pulmonary symptoms:

Neurological symptoms:

Cutaneous symptoms:

General symptoms:

References

References

  1. ↑ Johnson MJ, Lucas GL (1996). “Fat embolism syndrome”. Orthopedics. 19 (1): 41–8, discussion 48-9. PMID 8771112.
  2. ↑ Mellor A, Soni N (2001). “Fat embolism”. Anaesthesia. 56 (2): 145–54. PMID 11167474.
  3. ↑ van den Brand JG, van der Hoeven JH, Olsman JG (2000). “[Dyspnea or confusion after trauma? Consider fat embolism syndrome]”. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 144 (32): 1513–7. PMID 10949632.
  4. ↑ Gurd AR, Wilson RI (1974). “The fat embolism syndrome”. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 56B (3): 408–16. PMID 4547466.
  5. ↑ Peltier LF (1971). “The diagnosis and treatment of fat embolism”. J Trauma. 11 (8): 661–7. PMID 4998402.
  6. ↑ Bulger EM, Smith DG, Maier RV, Jurkovich GJ (1997). “Fat embolism syndrome. A 10-year review”. Arch Surg. 132 (4): 435–9. PMID 9108767.
  7. ↑ Jacobson DM, Terrence CF, Reinmuth OM (1986). “The neurologic manifestations of fat embolism”. Neurology. 36 (6): 847–51. PMID 3703294.
  8. ↑ Thomas JE, Ayyar DR (1972). “Systemic fat embolism. A diagnostic profile in 24 patients”. Arch Neurol. 26 (6): 517–23. PMID 5030787.
  9. ↑ Scopa M, Magatti M, Rossitto P (1994). “Neurologic symptoms in fat embolism syndrome: case report”. J Trauma. 36 (6): 906–8. PMID 8015021.
  10. ↑ Bardana D, Rudan J, Cervenko F, Smith R (1998). “Fat embolism syndrome in a patient demonstrating only neurologic symptoms”. Can J Surg. 41 (5): 398–402. PMC 3949781. PMID 9793509.

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