Fat embolism: the hidden murder for trauma patients! / Embolia gordurosa: a assassina oculta para pacientes com trauma!

ABSTRACT Introduction: fat embolism syndrome (FES) is an acute respiratory disorder that occurs when an inflammatory response causes the embolization of fat and marrow particles into the bloodstream. The exact incidence of FES is not well defined due to the difficulty of diagnosis. FES is mostly associated with isolated long bone trauma, and it is usually misdiagnosed in other trauma cases. The scope of this study was to identify and search the current literature for cases of FES in nonorthopedic trauma patients with the aim of defining the etiology, incidence, and main clinical manifestations. Methods: we perform a literature search via the PubMed journal to find, summarize, and incorporate reports of fat embolisms in patients presenting with non-orthopedic trauma. Results: the final literature search yielded 23 papers of patients presenting with fat embolism/FES due to non-orthopedic trauma. The presentation and etiology of these fat embolisms is varied and complex, differing from patient to patient. In this review, we highlight the importance of maintaining a clinical suspicion of FES within the trauma and critical care community. Conclusion: to help trauma surgeons and clinicians identify FES cases in trauma patients who do not present with long bone fracture, we also present the main clinical signs of FES as well as the possible treatment and prevention options.

RESUMO Introdução: a síndrome da embolia gordurosa (SEG) representa um distúrbio respiratório agudo que ocorre quando uma resposta inflamatória leva a uma embolização de partículas de gordura e medula na corrente sanguínea. A incidência exata da SEG não está bem estabelecida devido à dificuldade de diagnóstico. Tal síndrome está associada principalmente a traumas isolados de ossos longos e geralmente é diagnosticada erroneamente em outros casos de trauma. O escopo deste estudo foi de realizar uma pesquisa e identificar na literatura atual casos de SEG em pacientes com trauma de natureza não ortopédica com o objetivo de definir a etiologia, a incidência e as principais manifestações clínicas. Métodos: foi realizada uma pesquisa na literatura utilizando como base de dados o PubMed a fim de identificar os relatos e series de casos de embolias gordurosas em pacientes vítimas de traumas de natureza não ortopédica. A pesquisa final resultou em 23 artigos de pacientes que apresentaram embolia gordurosa/SEG devido a trauma não ortopédico. Resultados: a apresentação e a etiologia dessas embolias gordurosas são variadas e complexas, diferindo de paciente para paciente. Nesta revisão, destacamos a importância de manter uma suspeita clínica de SEG para pacientes vítimas de trauma que se encontrem sob cuidados intensivos. Conclusão: para ajudar os cirurgiões de trauma e os clínicos a identificar casos de SEG em pacientes com trauma que não apresentam fratura de ossos longos, foram destacados os principais sinais clínicos de SEG, bem como as possíveis opções de tratamento e prevenção.

Síndrome de embolismo graso en fractura de huesos largos, reporte de caso / Fat embolism syndrome in long bone fractures, case report

Introducción: El síndrome de embolismo graso es una complicación severa, aun-que poco frecuente de trauma grave. Es desencadenado por el paso de partículas de grasa hacia la microcirculación en varios órganos. La tríada característica: lesión pulmonar, hemorragia petequial y disfunción neurológica. Su prevalencia varía se-gún los criterios diagnósticos y la causa desencadenante, dificultando su detección temprana. Presentación del caso: Caso 1. Paciente 22 años, masculino, sufrió accidente automovilístico con fracturas abierta de fémur, tibia y peroné derechos, resueltas quirúrgicamente, a las 5 horas del evento sufre deterioro respiratorio, petequias conjuntivales, torácicas y en extremidades; posteriormente deterioro de concien-cia, estatus epiléptico y síndrome de hiperactividad simpática paroxística. Caso 2. Paciente 29 años, masculino, sufrió volcamiento del vehículo en el que viajaba, sufriendo fracturas cerradas de tibia, peroné y fémur izquierdas, luego de la cirugía traumatológica sufrió deterioro del estado de conciencia, petequias conjuntivales e hipoxemia.Diagnósticos e intervenciones: los dos pacientes fueron operados para resolución traumatológica dentro de las primeras 24 horas, luego del aparecimiento de síntomas neurológicos se sometieron a neuroimagen encontrándose el patrón de "campo de es-trellas" y recibieron corticoides.Resultados: Caso 1 el desenlace fue estado vegetativo, Caso 2 recuperación completa.Conclusión: La detección es imprescindible para establecer el tratamiento temprano, planificar la cirugía traumatológica o diferirla y estimar el pronóstico según la evolu-ción. El síndrome de embolia grasa cerebral es una causa rara del síndrome de hipe-ractividad simpática paroxística

Introduction: Fat embolism syndrome is a severe, although rare complication of major trauma. It is triggered by the passage of fat particles into the microcirculation in various organs. The characteristic triad: lung injury, petechial hemorrhage and neurological dysfunction. Its prevalence varies according to the diagnostic criteria and the triggering cause, making its early detection difficult. Case presentation: Case 1. Patient 22 years old, male, suffered a car accident with open fracture of the right femur, tibia and fibula, surgically resolved, 5 hours after the event he suffered respiratory impairment, conjunctival, thoracic and extre-mity petechiae; later impaired consciousness, status epilepticus and paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity syndrome. Case 2. Patient 29 years old, male, suffered overturning of the vehicle in which he was traveling, suffering closed fractures of the left tibia, fibula and femur, after trauma surgery he suffered impaired consciousness, conjunctival petechiae and hypoxemia.Diagnoses and interventions: Both patients underwent surgery for trauma reso-lution within 24 hours, after the appearance of neurological symptoms they un-derwent neuroimaging finding "star field" pattern, both received corticosteroids.Results: Case 1 the outcome was vegetative state, Case 2 complete recovery.Conclusion: Detection is essential to establish early treatment, to plan trauma sur-gery or to defer it and to estimate prognosis according to evolution. Cerebral fat em-bolism syndrome is a rare cause of paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity syndrome.

Increase in optic nerve sheath diameter predicts early cerebral involvement in fat embolism syndrome.

Early diagnosis of cerebral fat embolism in a patient with contradiction to MRI is challenging. Here we report an interesting case, where the raised optic nerve sheath diameter helped us to predict the early cerebral involvement with fat emboli in a left femoral shaft fracture patient. MRI scan could not be performed due to the presence of a metallic implant in the patient from a previous surgery. He was later diagnosed as an atypical presentation of fat embolism syndrome. Optic nerve sheath monitoring also helped us to guide further management of the patient.

Increase in optic nerve sheath diameter predicts early cerebral involvement in fat embolism syndrome / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Early diagnosis of cerebral fat embolism in a patient with contradiction to MRI is challenging. Here we report an interesting case, where the raised optic nerve sheath diameter helped us to predict the early cerebral involvement with fat emboli in a left femoral shaft fracture patient. MRI scan could not be performed due to the presence of a metallic implant in the patient from a previous surgery. He was later diagnosed as an atypical presentation of fat embolism syndrome. Optic nerve sheath monitoring also helped us to guide further management of the patient.

Sudden death caused by Clostridium perfringens sepsis presenting as massive intravascular hemolysis.

An 80-year-old Japanese woman with diabetes mellitus was admitted with gastrointestinal symptoms and pyrexia. At presentation, liver abscesses and severe hemolytic anemia were noted. Before detailed diagnostic evaluation and adequate treatment, she suddenly died 2.5 hours after admission. The autopsy and bacteriological examinations revealed liver abscesses and massive intravascular hemolysis caused by Clostridium perfringens as well as other miscellaneous critical pathological findings, including acute renal tubular necrosis, lung edema, and pulmonary fat embolism. In this article, the detailed autopsy results are described and clinicopathologic characteristics on Clostridium perfringens-related sudden death are discussed with a review of the literature.

A 21-year-old Pregnant Trauma Patient with Asymptomatic Fat Embolism; a Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is most often associated with orthopedic trauma that typically presents 24-72 hours after the trauma with a classic triad. Only few cases of fat embolism due to lower extremity venous system had been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: The current case report presents a pregnant woman who was referred to our emergency department with bilateral femoral open fracture. After detecting fetal demise by abdominopelvic ultrasound, an area of fat density in right external iliac vein was detected in abdominopelvic contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan which was considered as the probable diagnosis of fat embolism. While the patient did not show signs and symptoms of FES, the fat embolism was confirmed in further evaluations. CONCLUSION: In summary, although detection of fat embolus in CT scan in the emergency department is very rare, evaluation of lower extremity venous system in a posttraumatic patient seems to be crucial because early diagnosis of fat embolism can help the clinicians to prevent FES.

Fatal Non-traumatic Fat Embolism

@#Non-traumatic fat embolism (NTFE) is infrequently encountered in the clinical setting. The incidence of clinically detected fat embolism is less than 1%. It is diagnosed based on the evidence of fat emboli occluding the vessel lumen in a patient with no prior history of trauma. We report a case of NTFE in a lady who developed breathlessness and collapsed following home vaginal delivery. Post-mortem examination revealed extensive fat emboli in the pulmonary vessels. We elucidate the clinical challenges in diagnosing fat embolism (FE) in a patient without history of trauma.

Sudden death caused by Clostridium perfringens sepsis presenting as massive intravascular hemolysis

An 80-year-old Japanese woman with diabetes mellitus was admitted with gastrointestinal symptoms and pyrexia. At presentation, liver abscesses and severe hemolytic anemia were noted. Before detailed diagnostic evaluation and adequate treatment, she suddenly died 2.5 hours after admission. The autopsy and bacteriological examinations revealed liver abscesses and massive intravascular hemolysis caused by Clostridium perfringens as well as other miscellaneous critical pathological findings, including acute renal tubular necrosis, lung edema, and pulmonary fat embolism. In this article, the detailed autopsy results are described and clinicopathologic characteristics on Clostridium perfringens-related sudden death are discussed with a review of the literature.

Síndrome De Embolia Grasa Postraumática, Síntomas Neurológicos Sin Clínica Respiratoria En Ausencia De Foramen Oval Permeable / Posttraumatic Fat Embolism Syndrome, Neurological Symptoms Without Respiratory Symptoms In The Absence Of Permeable Foramen Ovale

Resumen El síndrome de embolia grasa es una complicación potencialmente catastrófica de las fracturas de huesos largos. La tríada clásica de síntomas son erupciones cutáneas petequiales, hipoxemia y anomalías neurológicas, que generalmente ocurren dentro de las 24 a 72 horas posteriores a la fractura. El componente respiratorio se presenta en prácticamente la totalidad de los reportes. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con embolia grasa postraumática con clínica neurológica preponderante, sin afectación respiratoria en ausencia de foramen oval permeable.

Abstract Fat embolism syndrome is a potentially catastrophic complication of long-bone fractures. The classic triad of symptoms are petechial skin rashes, hypoxemia, and neurological abnormalities, which usually occur within 24 to 72 hours after the fracture. The respiratory component occurs in practically all of the reports. We present the case of a patient with posttraumatic fat embolism with predominant neurological symptoms, without respiratory involvement in the absence of patent foramen ovale.

Sudden death caused by pulmonary fat embolism in a patient with miliary tuberculosis.

An 84-year-old Japanese woman with myelodysplastic syndrome was admitted with pyrexia and dyspnea, but died suddenly during diagnostic evaluation. The autopsy revealed miliary tuberculosis in addition to myelodysplastic syndrome in the bone marrow. The immediate cause of the patient's sudden death was pulmonary fat embolism derived from bone marrow necrosis. This case shows that the infiltration of the myelodysplastic bone marrow by tuberculosis and consequent bone marrow necrosis and fat embolism can be the cause of sudden death. In this article, we report the autopsy results of this unusual cause of sudden death, and discuss tuberculosis-related sudden death with a review of the literature.

Sudden death caused by pulmonary fat embolism in a patient with miliary tuberculosis

An 84-year-old Japanese woman with myelodysplastic syndrome was admitted with pyrexia and dyspnea, but died suddenly during diagnostic evaluation. The autopsy revealed miliary tuberculosis in addition to myelodysplastic syndrome in the bone marrow. The immediate cause of the patient's sudden death was pulmonary fat embolism derived from bone marrow necrosis. This case shows that the infiltration of the myelodysplastic bone marrow by tuberculosis and consequent bone marrow necrosis and fat embolism can be the cause of sudden death. In this article, we report the autopsy results of this unusual cause of sudden death, and discuss tuberculosis-related sudden death with a review of the literature.

Síndrome de hiperatividade simpática paroxística causada por síndrome da embolia gordurosa / Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity syndrome caused by fat embolism syndrome

RESUMO A hiperatividade simpática paroxística representa uma complicação incomum, com potencial risco à vida, de lesões cerebrais graves, mais comumente de origem traumática. Seu diagnóstico clínico se baseia na manifestação recorrente de taquicardia, hipertensão, diaforese, taquipneia e, às vezes, febre, além de posturas distônicas. Os episódios podem ser induzidos por estímulos ou ocorrer de forma espontânea. É comum que ocorra subdiagnóstico desta síndrome, e o retardamento de seu reconhecimento pode aumentar a morbidade e a incapacidade em longo prazo. Evitar os desencadeantes e a farmacoterapia podem ter muito sucesso no controle desta complicação. A síndrome da embolia gordurosa é uma complicação rara, mas grave, das fraturas de ossos longos. Sinais neurológicos, petéquias hemorrágicas e insuficiência respiratória aguda são as características que constituem seu quadro clínico. O termo "embolia gordurosa cerebral" é estabelecido quando predomina o envolvimento neurológico. O diagnóstico é clínico, porém achados específicos de neuroimagem podem confirmá-lo. As manifestações neurológicas incluem diferentes graus de alteração da consciência, défices focais ou convulsões. Seu tratamento é de suporte, porém são possíveis desfechos favoráveis, mesmo nos casos com apresentação grave. Relatamos dois casos de hiperatividade simpática paroxística após embolia gordurosa cerebral, uma associação muito incomum.

ABSTRACT Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity represents an uncommon and potentially life-threatening complication of severe brain injuries, which are most commonly traumatic. This syndrome is a clinical diagnosis based on the recurrent occurrence of tachycardia, hypertension, diaphoresis, tachypnea, and occasionally high fever and dystonic postures. The episodes may be induced by stimulation or may occur spontaneously. Underdiagnosis is common, and delayed recognition may increase morbidity and long-term disability. Trigger avoidance and pharmacological therapy can be very successful in controlling this complication. Fat embolism syndrome is a rare but serious complication of long bone fractures. Neurologic signs, petechial hemorrhages and acute respiratory failure constitute the characteristic presenting triad. The term cerebral fat embolism is used when the neurological involvement predominates. The diagnosis is clinical, but specific neuroimaging findings can be supportive. The neurologic manifestations include different degrees of alteration of consciousness, focal deficits or seizures. Management is supportive, but good outcomes are possible even in cases with very severe presentation. We report two cases of paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity after cerebral fat embolism, which is a very uncommon association.

Cerebral infarction following facial autologous fat transplantation: report of two cases / 中华神经科杂志

Facial autologous fat transplantation is a common aesthetic procedure.Although this procedure is generally regarded as safe,several patients have experienced acute cerebral infarction after fat particles were incorrectly injected into the blood vessel.We report two cases of cerebral infarction following facial autologous fat transplantation:one patient suffered massive cerebral infarction due to the occlusion of internal carotid artery by fat embolus and died of stroke related complication,the other young women experienced acute ischemic stroke and ophthalmic artery embolism during this procedure and remained permanent blindness of right eye.Therefore,when a patient presents abrupt mental change,hemiplegia,blindness during autologous fat particle injection,doctors must consider the complication of cerebral infarction.

Trauma Patient with Fat Embolism Detected on Computed Tomography.

Fat embolism is frequent following fractures of long bones, however the development of the clinical syndrome of fat embolism (characterized by progressive respiratory distress, mental status depression and petechial rash) is rare, but relevant because of its potential severity. We report a case of a trauma patient with multiple fractures of the right lower limb in whom an emergency computed tomography scan showed fat emboli within the lumen of the homolateral common femoral vein. The imaging detection of macroscopic fat emboli should alert the clinician to the potential for subsequent fat embolism syndrome.

A embolia gorda é frequente no contexto de fracturas de ossos longos, contudo o desenvolvimento da síndrome clínica da embolia gorda (caracterizada por dificuldade respiratória progressiva, depressão do estado de consciência e rash petequial) constitui uma ocorrência rara, embora relevante pela sua gravidade. Apresentamos o caso de um politraumatizado com fraturas múltiplas do membro inferior direito a quem foi detetada, em tomografia computorizada de urgência, a presença de êmbolos de gordura no lúmen da veia femoral comum homolateral. A visualização de êmbolos macroscópicos de gordura através de métodos de imagem deverá alertar o clínico para a possibilidade de desenvolvimento da síndrome da embolia gorda.

Síndrome de embolia grasa con predominio de síntomas neurológicos / Fat embolism syndrome with predominant neurological symptoms / Síndrome de embolia gordurosa com predomínio de sintomas neurológicos

Introducción. La embolia grasa es la obstrucción de los vasos sanguíneos de pequeño calibre por lípidos producidos durante la degradación tisular. Se presenta en individuos con fracturas de huesos largos, y es asintomático en más del 90 % de los casos. El síndrome de embolia grasa corresponde a un proceso grave poco frecuente en la práctica clínica, caracterizado por la aparición de petequias, dificultad respiratoria y alteraciones neurológicas. Reporte de caso. Se trata de una mujer adulta joven con trauma cerrado de tórax y fracturas múltiples de huesos largos de las extremidades superiores e inferiores por politraumatismo de alta energía, que fue sometida a reducción bajo anestesia de las fracturas. A las 48 horas, comenzó a presentar dificultad respiratoria, exantema petequial de predominio en la pared anterior del tórax y deterioro neurológico con convulsiones tónico-clónicas focales y bilaterales, que cedieron con un medicamento anticonvulsivo intravenoso. Se le diagnosticó síndrome de embolia grasa debido al antecedente de trauma y a las lesiones evidenciadas en la resonancia magnética. Se le brindó soporte respiratorio y terapia anticoagulante, con lo cual el cuadro clínico mejoró. Discusión. El tejido graso ingresa a la circulación cuando la presión en el lecho del drenaje venoso es superada por la presión en la médula ósea. Los ácidos grasos libres tóxicos causan edema vasogénico y citotóxico, así como hemorragia por destrucción celular. Conclusión. Es importante considerar la presencia de esta complicación en pacientes con múltiples fracturas y brindar un tratamiento oportuno con la intención de disminuir las secuelas asociadas con esta condición

Introduction: Fatty embolism is the obstruction of small blood vessels by lipid product of tissue degradation. It occurs in individuals with long bone fractures, being asymptomatic in more than 90% of cases. The fat embolism syndrome corresponds to a severe and rare process in clinical practice, characterized by the appearance of petechiae, respiratory stress and neurological disorders. Case report: Young adult with high energy-polytrauma and closed chest trauma with multiple fractures of long bones of the upper and lower extremities who was taken to operating theater for redu-cing them under anesthesia. Forty-eight hours after, she began to present with respiratory distress, petechial rash predominantly in the anterior thorax and neurological deterioration with focal seizure activity to bilateral tonic-clonic, which yielded with intravenous anticonvulsant. A fat embolism syndrome was diagnosed due to the history of trauma and the lesions evidenced in the magnetic resonance. She was given respiratory support and anticoagulant therapy, with which the clinical picture improved. Discussion: The fatty tissue enters the circulation when the venous drainage bed pressure is overcome by the pressure inside the bone marrow. The toxic free fatty acids cause vasogenic and cytotoxic edema, as well as hemorrhage by cell destruction. Conclusion: It is important to consider the presence of this complication in patients with multiple fractures and to offer timely treatment with the intention of reducing the sequelae associated with this condition.

Introdução. Embolia gordurosa é a obstrução dos vasos sanguíneos de diâmetro reduzido pelos lipídios produzidos durante a degradação tecidual. Ocorre em indivíduos com fraturas de ossos longos e é assintomática em mais de 90% dos casos. A síndrome da embolia gordurosa corresponde a um processo grave, pouco frequente na prática clínica, caracterizado pelo aparecimento de petéquias, dificuldade respiratória e alterações neurológicas. Relato de caso. Trata-se de uma mulher adulta jovem, com trauma de tórax fechado e múltiplas fraturas de ossos longos dos membros superiores e inferiores por politraumatismos de alta energia, que foi submetida a redução sob anestesia. Às 48 horas, ela começou a ter dificuldade em respirar, exantema petequial predominantemente sobre a parede torácica anterior e dano neurológico com convulsões tónico-clónicas e bilateral focal, que cedeu com uma medicação anticonvulsivante intra-venosa. Ela foi diagnosticada com síndrome de embolia gordurosa devido a uma história de trauma e às lesões evidenciadas na ressonância magnética. Ela recebeu suporte respiratório e terapia anticoa-gulante, com o qual o quadro clínico melhorou. Discussão. O tecido adiposo entra na circulação quando a pressão no leito da drenagem venosa é superada pela pressão na medula óssea. Os ácidos graxos livres tóxicos causam edema vasogênico e citotóxico, além de hemorragia por destruição celular. Conclusão. É importante considerar a presença dessa complicação em pacientes com múltiplas fraturas e fornecer tratamento oportuno com a intenção de reduzir as sequelas associadas a essa condição

High risk factors of fat embolism syndrome in multiple trauma patients combined with femoral shaft fractures / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To investigate the high risk factors of fat embolism syndrome (FES) in multiple trauma patients combined with femoral shaft fractures.Methods A case series retrospective study was employed to evaluate 36 patients with FES after multiple fractures of femoral shaft fracture admitted from January 2010 to December 2015,including 30 males and six females aged 18-52 years (mean,36.2 years).According to whether the patients were combined with other parts injuries such as in chest,abdomen and brain,the patients can be divided into two groups,namely,Group A (9 cases) were simple femoral fractures patients with multiple fractures,and Group B (27 cases) were femoral shaft fracture associated with other parts of the fracture or splanchnocoele injury or craniocerebral injury.The quantitative assessment was used by revised trauma severity score (RISS) and the types of the femoral shaft fracture were classified by AO.The relationship of RISS range and types of femoral shaft fractures were evaluated.Results RISS was over 11 points in all cases.Among them,the RISS range of Group A patients was from 11 to 18 points (mean,13 points),with type C in AO classification accounting for 67％ and type B for 33％.The RISS range of Group B patients was from 18 to 25 points (mean,21 points),with type C in AO classification accounting for 78％ and type B for 19％.FES occurrence was positively correlated with the RISS (r =0.684,P ＜ 0.01),with type C the most common classification.Conclusions Clinical doctors should raise vigilance and take the following indicators as high risk factors for FES,ie,the multiple trauma patients combined with femoral shaft fractures plus RISS over 11 points,the multiple trauma patients combined with other parts of the fractures or splanchnocoele injury or craniocerebral injury plus RISS over 18 points,mainly type C femoral shaft fracture.

Profilaxia da síndrome de embolia gordurosa: uma análise atual / Prophylaxis of fat embolism syndrome: a current analysis

INTRODUÇÃO: Analisar dados da internet relacionados a mortes por embolia gordurosa, inicio da doença, e outras informações podem determinar a realidade atual no Brasil relacionada à incidência da síndrome de embolia gordurosa e qualquer repercussão na mídia, e também revisar as metodologias de prevenção e quais são os melhores métodos disponíveis para tratar a doença. MÉTODOS: Uma pesquisa no google foi conduzida de Janeiro de 2000 a Janeiro de 2014 utilizando os descritores "cirurgia plástica" e "morte". Foram incluídos e revisados artigos contendo as palavras "embolia", "embolia gordurosa" e "complicações em (ou de) cirurgia plástica". RESULTADOS: Incluiu-se 235 matérias novas relevantes ao longo dos 14 anos. Houve 45 casos de óbito relacionados com cirurgia plástica que ofereceu poucos dados para individualização. Desses pacientes, 44 eram mulheres. As causas possíveis mencionadas foram embolia pulmonar (cinco casos), perfuração das vísceras (cinco casos), hipertermia maligna (três casos), anestesia (dois casos), choque anafilático (dois casos), embolia gordurosa (um caso confirmado), e "outros" (cinco casos). CONCLUSÃO: Diretrizes de prevenção para embolia gordurosa em cirurgia plástica são requeridas, porém, há também necessidade de mais estudos baseados em evidência para entender mais claramente quais são os melhores métodos.

INTRODUCTION: To analyze data from the internet on deaths from fat embolism, time of onset, and other information that could determine current reality in Brazil regarding fat embolism syndrome incidence and any ,media repercussions, and also to review methods of prevention and what are the best methods available to treat this disease. METHODS: A Google search was conducted from January 2000 to January 2014 using the keywords "plastic surgery" and "death." We included and reviewed articles containing the words "embolism", "fat embolism" and "complications in (or of) plastic surgery". RESULTS: We included 235 relevant news stories over the 14 included years. There were 45 cases of death related with plastic surgery that offered few data for individualization. Of these patients, 44 were women. Possible causes mentioned were pulmonary embolism (five cases), perforation of viscera (four cases), malignant hyperthermia (three cases), anesthesia (two cases), anaphylactic shock (two cases), fat embolism (one confirmed case), and "other" (five cases). CONCLUSION: Guidelines to prevent fat embolism in plastic surgery are needed, however, there is also the need of more evidence based studies to understand more clearly what methods are best.

Changes in expressions of lipoxin A4 and its receptor in rats with fat embolism syndrome / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To investigate the change in expressions of lipoxin A4 (LXA4) and lipoxin A4 receptor (ALX) in rats with fat embolism syndrome(FES).Metbods Sixty healthy male SD rats were assigned to control group and FES group which was subgrouped at l,6,12 and 24 h according to the random number table,with 12 rats each.Allogeneic perinephric fat (0.706 ml/kg) was injected to rat caudal veins in FES group.Instead isotonic saline in an equal volume was given to rats in control group.Lung samples were harvested from each group to detect pathological morphology,concentration of total protein and LXA4 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF),lung weight to dry ratio (W/D),and activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and ALX mRNA.Additional 40 SD rats were divided into control group,FES 24-hour group,BML-1 11 + FES 24-hour group,and Boc-2 + FES 24-hour group according to the random number table,with 10 rats each.Pathology of lung tissue was observed using microscopy and expression of lung MPO mRNA was detected.Results Lung tissues in FES group were seriously injured compared with control group.Total protein concentration in BALF was (71.12 ± 11.05) μg/ml in FES 12-hour group,significantly increased compared to (29.82 ± 0.64) μg/ml in control group (P ＜ 0.05).LXA4 concentration in BALF was (2.72 ± 0.24) ng/ml in FES 24-hour group,significantly higher than (0.69 ±0.05)ng/ml in control group (P ＜ 0.05).Lung W/D value was 9.13 ±0.83 and 9.60 ±0.86 respectively in FES 6-hour and 12-hour groups,higher than 3.09 ±0.10 in control group (P ＜0.05).Activity of MPO in lung tissue was (0.74± 0.07)U/g and (0.53 ±0.08)U/g respectively in FES 6-hour and 12-hour groups,significantly higher than (0.19 ± 0.03) U/g in control group (P ＜ 0.05).Expression of ALX mRNA was 3.99 ± 1.09 in FES 24-hour group,significantly higher than 1.00 ±0.21 in control group (P ＜0.05).Expression of MPO mRNA was lower in BML-111 + FES 24-hour group (0.69-0.08) and was higher in Boc-2 + FES 24-hour group (2.05-0.14),when compared to 1.52 ±-0.07 in FES 24-hour group (P＜0.05).Conclusion LXA4 mainly involves in the resolution of inflammation in FES rats,which may be achieved at least in part by binding to ALX.

A Case of Acute Fulminant Fat Embolism Syndrome after Liposuction Surgery.

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is a clinical manifestation that consists of multiple organ dysfunction due to fat emboli. FES occurs as a complication after trauma or procedures such as surgery. The diagnostic criteria of FES have not yet been established, so clinical criteria are used for its diagnosis. The clinical course of acute fulminant FES can be rapid. Liposuction surgery, in which adipocytes are mechanically disrupted, is one cause of FES. As the number of liposuction surgeries increases, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of FES. This was the first report of a case of acute fulminant FES with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome after liposuction surgery, in Korea.