Fat embolism syndrome: Do the CT findings correlate with clinical course and severity of symptoms? A clinical-radiological study

European Journal of Radiology
Katrina NewbiginKawan Rakhra

Abstract

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is rare and diagnosis is challenging. Clinical manifestations are non-specific and no biochemical tests are reliable for diagnosis, highlighting the importance of thoracic CT. Our goal was to describe the CT manifestations of FES and assess whether imaging findings, time of onset of symptoms and time of surgery correlate with clinical course and severity of the disease. Retrospective review of 49 patients with respiratory distress after trauma/intramedullary nail fixation over a 10 year period; 12 patients met clinical criteria and were categorized as non-fulminant (NF-FES) or fulminant FES (F-FES). CT images were analyzed and electronic records reviewed for clinical findings, timeline from trauma to surgery and onset of symptoms. Pearson Chi-square and Levene's test were used and results considered significant when p<0.05. All patients were men (18-80 years, mean 38 years), 5 (42%) suffered F-FES and 7 (58%) NF-FES. The most common CT finding was ground-glass opacities (8/12, 67%), often with lobular sparing. Consolidation occurred in 4/12 (33%), all in F-FES patients (p=0.004). In 5/5 F-FES, lung involvement was extensive (>75%) whereas most NF-FES had limited involvement (p<0.01). Centrilobular no...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jul 28, 2018·Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery·Héctor DuránJosé Antonio Robles-Cervantes
May 19, 2019·Aesthetic Surgery Journal·William PeñaAlvaro Andres Macias
Oct 20, 2018·Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal = Journal L'Association Canadienne Des Radiologistes·Khalid Alfudhili
Apr 9, 2019·The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·David L Rothberg, Christopher A Makarewich
Apr 12, 2019·International Journal of Legal Medicine·Vasiliki ChatzarakiWolf Schweitzer

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