Pulmonary fat embolism syndrome: CT findings in six patients.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose is to describe the CT findings in pulmonary fat embolism syndrome (FES).


METHODS
Chest radiographs and CT scans of six patients with pulmonary FES were reviewed. Initial and follow-up CT findings were noted, and the extent of CT abnormalities was correlated with partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2).


RESULTS
Focal areas of consolidation or ground-glass opacity and nodules were seen in all patients, predominantly in the upper lobes of the lungs. Association between these opacities and pulmonary vessels was indicated in three patients. In the lower lobes of all patients, gravity-dependent opacities predominated. Diffuse ground-glass opacity was noted in five patients. Follow-up CT scans showed rapid improvement in three patients, but the gravity-dependent opacity progressed. The extent of CT abnormalities correlated positively with PaO2 (r = 0.8, p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
CT findings reflect the pathophysiology of this syndrome, which differs from that of simple capillary permeability pulmonary edema.
Arakawa
H
H
Department of Radiology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki City, Japan.
Kurihara
Y
Y
Nakajima
Y
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004620:Embolism, Fat / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013577:Syndrome; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed