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Fat embolism syndrome case in woman presenting with a multiple injury following a traffic accident successfully treated using interdisciplinary approach - case report
, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Affiliations- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine with Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland
- Center of Didactics and Medical Simulation, Medical University of Silesia, Poland
- Department of Emergency Medical Service and Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Innovative Technology, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland
- Departament of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Poland
- Department of Vascular Surgery Trauma Center Hospital No5 District of Silesia, Poland
- Medical Faculty of Lazarski University, Warsaw, Poland
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: A potential complication of extensive injuries is an episode of fat embolism, also referred to as fat embolism syndrome. The main causes of fat embolism include long bone and pelvic fractures. Symptoms of fat embolism may also develop after elective orthopedic surgery, removal of subcutaneous fat tissue, multiple rib fractures, acute pancreatitis, or parenteral nutrition with fat-containing products.Most of the possible clinical signs are non-specific. The triad of clinical signs including gas exchange disorders in the lungs, central nervous system disorders, and bloody petechiae on the skin makes fat embolism syndrome diagnosis much easier. However, the final diagnosis is based on meeting one large criterion, four small criteria, and one laboratory criterion in accordance with Gurd’s assumptions.
METHODS: Manuscript description a case of 44-year-old woman with a multiple injury following a traffic accident. Computed tomography revealed a extensive head injury, numerous fractures of ribs, transverse processes of thoracic vertebrae and right scapula. As a result of the injuries developed full-blown fat embolism syndrome.
CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the importance of appropriate knowledge of the pathomechanism and clinical presentation of fat embolism syndrome and interdisciplinary therapeutic team approach. A quick correct diagnosis is crucial to improve treatment results. Access to laboratory and imaging tests considerably facilitates the diagnostic process, which should be followed by optimal therapeutic management. The lack of a golden standard of treatment necessitates a flexible and interdisciplinary therapeutic approach.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A potential complication of extensive injuries is an episode of fat embolism, also referred to as fat embolism syndrome. The main causes of fat embolism include long bone and pelvic fractures. Symptoms of fat embolism may also develop after elective orthopedic surgery, removal of subcutaneous fat tissue, multiple rib fractures, acute pancreatitis, or parenteral nutrition with fat-containing products.Most of the possible clinical signs are non-specific. The triad of clinical signs including gas exchange disorders in the lungs, central nervous system disorders, and bloody petechiae on the skin makes fat embolism syndrome diagnosis much easier. However, the final diagnosis is based on meeting one large criterion, four small criteria, and one laboratory criterion in accordance with Gurd’s assumptions.
METHODS: Manuscript description a case of 44-year-old woman with a multiple injury following a traffic accident. Computed tomography revealed a extensive head injury, numerous fractures of ribs, transverse processes of thoracic vertebrae and right scapula. As a result of the injuries developed full-blown fat embolism syndrome.
CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the importance of appropriate knowledge of the pathomechanism and clinical presentation of fat embolism syndrome and interdisciplinary therapeutic team approach. A quick correct diagnosis is crucial to improve treatment results. Access to laboratory and imaging tests considerably facilitates the diagnostic process, which should be followed by optimal therapeutic management. The lack of a golden standard of treatment necessitates a flexible and interdisciplinary therapeutic approach.
Keywords
fat embolism syndrome; multiple injury; interdisciplinary therapeutic approach; case report
About this articleTitle
Fat embolism syndrome case in woman presenting with a multiple injury following a traffic accident successfully treated using interdisciplinary approach - case report
Journal
Disaster and Emergency Medicine Journal
Issue
Article type
Case report
Pages
57-59
Published online
2020-01-13
Page views
618
Article views/downloads
611
DOI
Bibliographic record
Disaster Emerg Med J 2020;5(1):57-59.
Keywords
fat embolism syndrome
multiple injury
interdisciplinary therapeutic approach
case report
Authors
Szymon Białka
Adam Ubych
Jacek Smereka
Tomasz Byrczek
Krzysztof Szaniewski
Lukasz Szarpak
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