Fatal fat embolism syndrome - A case report

Fat embolism syndrome is a dire complication of long bone trauma. It is usu ally associated with neurological, hematological and respiratory involvemen t, the latter being the major cause of death. We present a case of severe f at embolism syndrome occurring 3 hours after a long bone injury, leading to permanent vegetative state and death without any respiratory signs. The di agnosis was confirmed by cytology of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Clin ical presentation of the puzzling fat embolism syndrome and diagnostic test s in suspected fat embolism syndrome are reviewed.