title: Nodular pattern at lung computed tomography in fat embolism syndrome: a helpful finding.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to describe the computed tomography (CT) findings in pulmonary fat embolism syndrome (FES). The chest radiographs and CT scans of 5 patients with the diagnosis of FES as determined by the presence of at least 1 major and 4 minor criteria were reviewed. The radiologic features included ground-glass opacities, with different patterns of presentation seen in all patients. Three patients presented with alveolar opacities, and small (<1 cm) ill-defined nodules were seen in 4 of 5 patients. In the context of a patient with previous trauma and the clinical suspicion of FES, the presence of nodules at CT examination may be a helpful finding in the diagnosis of this entity. The chest radiographs and CT scans of 5 patients with the diagnosis of FES as determined by the presence of at least 1 major and 4 minor criteria as defined by Gurd and Wilson were reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, SDI UDIAT-CD, Corporació Parc Taulí, Barcelona, Spain. X.Gallardo.xgallardo@cspt.es
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gallardo
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Castañer
authors.forename: Josep M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mata
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rimola
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Branera
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004620:Embolism, Fat / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013577:Syndrome; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed