Fat embolism in acute pancreatitis.
A patient who developed progressive hypoxemia and multiple system failure during the course of acute pancreatitis is described. Autopsy showed fat emboli to the lungs, kidneys, and heart, as well as multiple petechial hemorrhages in the brain. We conclude that fat embolism should be considered in the differential diagnosis of progressive hypoxemia in patients with acute pancreatitis.
Guardia
S N
SN
Department of Pathology, St Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada.
Bilbao
J M
JM
Murray
D
D
Warren
R E
RE
Sweet
J
J
D000208:Acute Disease; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004620:Embolism, Fat / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000473:pathology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology