title: High-resolution CT findings in mild pulmonary fat embolism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this article is to describe the high-resolution CT (HRCT) findings in mild cases of fat embolism syndrome (FES).
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine patients with FES were examined with HRCT of the lungs (collimation, 1 mm/edge-enhancement algorithm). The median age of the patients was 26 years (range, 17 to 35 years). Five cases were included prospectively, and four cases were reviewed retrospectively. Of the major clinical criteria for FES, respiratory signs were present in six patients, CNS signs were present in two patients, and petechiae was present in six patients. HRCT patterns were recorded and analyzed. The type of injury and FES-associated clinical findings were also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HRCT findings included ground-glass opacities in seven patients, associated with thickened interlobular septa in five patients and a patchy distribution resulting in a geographic appearance in four patients. A nodular pattern was observed in two patients. Resolution of the abnormalities occurred within 16.4 days (range, 7 to 25 days).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The HRCT findings of mild fat embolism consist of bilateral ground-glass opacities and thickening of the interlobular septa. Centrilobular nodular opacities are present in some patients.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Radiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. kmalag@acn.gr
authors.forename: Katerina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Malagari
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Economopoulos
authors.forename: Christophoros
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stoupis
authors.forename: Zoe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Daniil
authors.forename: Spyros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Papiris
authors.forename: Nestor L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kelekis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004620:Embolism, Fat / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*