Fat Embolism Syndrome

Fat embolism syndrome is first coined by Dr. Von Bergmann

Fat Embolism

Fat emboli pass through the bloodstream and lodge within blood vessels

Fat Embolism Syndrome

The serious manifestation of fat embolism occasional cause multisystem dysfunction, lungs are more involved than the brain (Physiological responses)

Onset: 24-72 hours of insult

Closed fracture > Open fracture (Increase Intraosseous pressure)

Risk Factors for Fat embolism syndrome

General Factors

• Males
• Age 10-39 ages
• Post-traumatic hypovolemic state
• Decrease cardiopulmonary reserves

Injury-related factors

• Multiple fractures
• B/L femur fractures
• Femur shaft fractures
• Lower extremity fractures
• Traumatic fractures
• Concomitant pulmonary injury

Surgery related fractures

• Intramedullary reamed/unreamed nailing after femoral fractures
• Joint replacement after femoral fracture
• Bilateral procedure
• Joint replacement with a high-volume prosthesis

Pathophysiology

The exact mechanism is unknown

Mechanical hypothesis

• Increase in intramedullary pressure
• Forces fat/marrow in blood
• Lodges into bloodvessels
• Passes from the pulmonary artery to cerebral circulation/renal which can cause dysfunction

Biochemical hypothesis

• Toxicity of free radicals
• Affects pneumocytes producing abnormality in gas exchanges
• Shock, sepsis, hypovolumia
• Auguments FFA effects

Fat emboli

• Obstruct lung vessels (20um)
• Platelets and fibrins adhere to it
• Can cause Inflammatory changes later lead to ARDS

Clinical Features

• Pulmonary dysfunction
• Neurological signs
• Dermatological signs (petechias)

Other findings:

• Retinopathy
• Lipiduria
• Fever
• DIC
• Myocardial depression
• Thrombocytopenia/ Anemia
• Hypocalcemia

Snow storm is characteristic feature seen in CXR

Gurd and Wilson Criterias

Two major criteria or 1 major and 4 minor criteria is diagnostic of Fat Embolism syndrome

Major Criteria

1. Petechial rashes
2. Neurological signs (Confusion, drowsiness, coma)
3. Respiratory symptoms (Tachypnoea, Dyspnoea, B/L crepts, Hemoptysis, Patchy shadow in CXR)

Minor Criteria

1. Pyrexia >39.4 C
2. Jaundice
3. Retinal changes: Fat/ petechias
4. Renal Changes: Anuria/ Oliguria
5. Tachycardia > 120/ min

Laboratory features:

1. ESR >71mm/hr
2. Hb decrease > 20 % of admission value
3. Platelets decrease > 50 % of admission value
4. Fat macroglobulinemia

Schonfeld FES Index

Score >5: Diagnosis of FES

Signs	Score
Petechial Rashes	5
Diffuse alveolar infiltrate	4
Hypoxemia PaO2 < 70mmHg, FiO2 100%	3
Confusion	1
Fever (>100.4 F)	1
Heart Rate >120 beats/min	1
Respiratory rate >30 /min	1

Laboratory studies

Important laboratory investigations for FES are:

• ABG
• Urine and Sputum examination
• Hematological tests
• Biochemical tests

Treatment and Management

Prophylaxis

Immobilization + Early internal fixation of fractures

Fixation within 24 hours yields a 5 folds reduction in the incidence of ARDS

Continuous SpO₂ monitoring

High dose corticosteroids (Controversial)

Supportive Medical Care

Albumin:

Recommended for volume resuscitation, balanced electrolytes solution, binds to fatty acids and decreases the extent of lung injury

Heparin:

No evidence

Proposed for treatment: Clear lipemic plasma

Fat embolism syndrome vs Cerebral Injury

Features	Fat Embolism Syndrome	Cerebral Injury
Lucid Interval	18-24 hours	6-10 hours
Confusion	severe	moderate
Pulse rate	rapid >120/min	slow
Onset of coma	rapid	slow
Localizing sign	absent	present
Decerebrate rigidity	early	terminal