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- Title
Cerebral Fat Embolism via a Patent Foramen Ovale.
- Authors
Cibulas, Megan A.; Carrillo, Eddy H.; Lee, Seong K.; Rosenthal, Andrew A.
- Abstract
Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is a multisystem process predominantly secondary to long bone/pelvic fractures and orthopedic procedures. A 19-year-old man presents after motor vehicle collision with trace right pneumothorax, right grade 3 kidney laceration, left pubic rami, and right femoral shaft fractures. Right femur closed reduction ensued and he underwent intramedullary nailing; his other injuries were managed nonoperatively. Upon awakening in recovery, he was newly aphasic. Despite negative repeat CT brain, he continued to worsen and became tachycardic and hypoxemic. MRI/MRA brain demonstrated innumerable bilateral frontal, parietal, and occipital acute ischemic infarcts in a starfield pattern. Echocardiogram revealed a PFO. With supportive care, he improved and was discharged with planned outpatient PFO closure. One month later, he had complete symptom resolution with return to neurologic baseline. FES is a potentially devastating condition which may include cerebral fat embolism (CFE) with outcomes varying widely from mortality to complete recovery.
- Publication
American Surgeon, 2022, Vol 88, Issue 7, p1534
- ISSN
0003-1348
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/00031348221082270