Fat Embolism Syndrome, a Diagnostic Dilemma: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) remains a diagnostic dilemma on a world scale. It has a variable degree of presentation, which makes the diagnostic confirmation hard to obtain. FES is a life-threatening condition which is usually associated with orthopedic trauma, particularly long bones fractures whose early fixation helps in preventing it. It requires supportive care, and no specific treatment is needed. Here, we report the case of a FES in a 20 year-old male patient with right femoral shaft fracture following a motorbike accident, which is diagnosed by Gurd’s criteria and confirmed after exclusion of other diagnosis with similar clinical presentation.

Devastating neurologic injury associated with fat embolism syndrome

“…Fixation of fractures helps to stop additional fat droplets from being released into the circulatory system. Some studies have cited the use of corticosteroids to reduce the incidence of FES after long bone fractures through the inhibition of inflammatory reaction to free fatty acids (Salah et al, 2021). In patients who are presenting with FES of a nontraumatic nature, supportive care is the mainstay of treatment.…”