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. 2010 Dec;59 Suppl(Suppl):S207-10.
doi: 10.4097/kjae.2010.59.S.S207. Epub 2010 Dec 31.

Cerebral fat embolism after bilateral total knee replacement arthroplasty -A case report-

Ri-Na Chang  1 , Jong-Hak Kim, Heeseung Lee, Hee-Jung Baik, Rack Kyung Chung, Chi Hyo Kim, Tae-Hu Hwang
Affiliations

Cerebral fat embolism after bilateral total knee replacement arthroplasty -A case report-

Ri-Na Chang et al. Korean J Anesthesiol. 2010 Dec.

Abstract

Fat embolism syndrome is a rare and potentially lethal complication most commonly seen in long bone fractures and intramedullary manipulation. The clinical triad of fat embolism syndrome consists of mental confusion, respiratory distress, and petechiae. This study reports a case of cerebral fat embolism syndrome following elective bilateral total knee replacement. After an uneventful anesthesia and initial recovery, the patient developed neurologic symptoms nine hours postoperatively.

Keywords: Arthroplasty; Fat embolism; Total knee replacement.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Diffusion weighted images (A, B) reveal multifocal high signal intensity change in the bilateral cerebral hemisphere and cerebellum.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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