[Tetraplegia in fat embolism].
This is a report of two cases of tetraplegia complicating fat embolism after fracture of long bones. In the first case, a 26 year-old male sustained fractures of femur and tibia. One day after admission, the patient became comatose (Glasgow coma score = 6) with dyspnaea and petechiae present on the anterior chest wall. In second case, a 22 year-old man with a fracture of tibia and humerus, suffered two days after admission from similar signs of fat embolism (dyspnaea, Glasgow score coma = 6, petechiae). A tetraplegia occurred after 7 days in the first patient and 6 days in the second. No lesions were visible on brain CT scan. Magnetic resonance imaging showed relative high-intensity areas on T2 weighted views. The outcome at three weeks was favourable, without neurologic sequelae.
Bouaggad
A
A
Service d'Anesthésie, CHU Ibnou Rochd, Casablanca, Maroc.
Harti
A
A
Barrou
H
H
Zryouil
B
B
Benaguida
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D004620:Embolism, Fat / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000150:complications; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology*; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000150:complications
Tétraplégie au cours de l'embolie graisseuse.