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Case Reports
. 2020 Oct 14:30:100365.
doi: 10.1016/j.tcr.2020.100365. eCollection 2020 Dec.

Management of long bone fractures in patients with cerebral fat embolism syndrome

Rebecca D Chase  1 , Sheena J Amin  2 , Rakesh P Mashru  3   4 , Henry J Dolch  3   4 , Kenneth W Graf  3   4
Affiliations
Case Reports

Management of long bone fractures in patients with cerebral fat embolism syndrome

Rebecca D Chase et al. Trauma Case Rep. .

Erratum in

Abstract

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is a rare complication associated with long bone fractures. Intramedullary nailing is the gold standard for treating patients with these injuries and early surgical intervention can prevent FES. However, there is a paucity of data on managing these patients once FES has developed. The purpose of this study is to present 3 unique cases of polytrauma patients with long bone fractures who underwent fixation with Taylor Spatial Frame, open reduction and internal fixation, or submuscular plating for treatment of these injuries. All 3 patients had complete cognitive and physical recovery.

Keywords: Fat embolism syndrome; Fracture; Trauma.

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Conflict of interest statement

None of the above authors have any financial disclosures or conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
a & b. Post-operative X-rays of the ringed external fixator (REF) used in Case 1. (a) AP tibia. (b) Lateral tibia X-rays.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
a & b. Follow-up X-rays 1 year after placement of REF (removal at 6 months) for Case 1. (a) AP tibia. (b) Lateral tibia.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
a & b. MRI Brain of case 2 showing multiple embolic infarcts.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
a–d: Submuscular plates for left open femur fracture with antibiotic beads of Case 2. (a) Proximal lateral of femur. (b and c) Proximal and distal AP of femur. (d) Distal lateral of femur.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
a–d. Submuscular plates for right femur fracture of Case 2. (a) Proximal lateral of femur. (b) and (c) Proximal and distal of femur. (d) Distal lateral of femur.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
a–c. Submuscular plating for left femoral shaft fracture in Case 3. (a and b) Proximal and distal AP of femur. (c) Distal lateral of femur.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
a–d. Submuscular plating for right tibial shaft fractures in Case 3. (a and b) Distal and proximal AP of tibia. (c and d) Proximal and distal lateral of tibia.
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
a–d. Follow-up X-rays 1-year post-op for the left femur fracture of Case 3. (a and b) Proximal and distal AP of femur. (c and d) Proximal and distal lateral of femur.
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
a–c. Follow-up X-rays 1-year post-op after plate removal of the right tibia fracture of Case 3. (a and b) Proximal and distal AP of tibia. (c) Lateral of tibia.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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