Magnetic resonance imaging of cerebral fat embolism: a case report.
Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality following multiple fractures. Neurological involvement (cerebral fat embolism) has been reported frequently. A case of cerebral fat embolism is reported. While CT scan revealed no abnormalities, MRI, performed in this patient 8 days after trauma, showed relative low-intensity areas on T1-weighted images and high intensity areas on T2-weighted images involving cerebral white matter, corpus callosum and basal ganglia. MRI follow-up (1 and 3 months post-trauma) showed nearly complete resolution of the abnormal signal. MRI seems to be a useful diagnostic tool for detecting and quantifying lesions in fat embolism syndrome.
I. Servizio di Anestesia e Rianimazione, Monza (Milano), Italy.
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D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D004620:Embolism, Fat / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000150:complications*; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000150:complications*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology; D013577:Syndrome; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed