Computed tomography diagnosis of macroscopic pulmonary fat embolism.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Pulmonary fat embolism probably occurs commonly after major orthopedic injuries and after orthopedic surgery. Furthermore, tiny fat emboli can often be shown by transesophageal echocardiography during orthopedic surgery. However, large macroscopic are rarely identified radiologically. Macroscopic fat emboli have been previously described in the common femoral vein and inferior vena cava on abdominal imaging. To the authors' knowledge, a macroscopic fat embolus in the pulmonary arteries has not been previously described. The authors report a case of a woman who, on computed tomography, had a large fat embolus after intramedullary rod placement for an isolated left femur fracture.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Ravenel, JG; Heyneman, LE; McAdams, HP

Published Date

  • April 2002

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 17 / 2

Start / End Page

  • 154 - 156

PubMed ID

  • 11956366

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0883-5993

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1097/00005382-200204000-00008

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States