An early severe pulmonary fat embolism with systemic embolization following bilateral femoral shaft fractures.

ABSTRACT

Pulmonary and systemic fat embolization has been recognized as a serious and life-threatening complication of pelvic and/or long bone fractures. However, articles on pulmonary and systemic fat embolism which have resulted from bilateral femoral shaft fractures alone are rarely found in the literature and the fates of such cases are under-reported as well. The authors recently experienced an early severe pulmonary and systemic fat embolism following bilateral femoral shaft fractures, resulting in a sudden death about 5 hours after injury. The authors report such a case and also review the relevant literature as to its cause, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.