title: The value of diffusion-weighted MRI in the diagnosis of cerebral fat embolism.
abstract: Fat embolism syndrome complicates open fractures involving long bones, although it occasionally follows nontraumatic conditions. Incomplete forms of the syndrome (ie, cerebral fat embolism) represent a challenge to diagnosis, and brain MRI represents a valuable diagnostic tool. We describe a patient who had a fat embolism to the brain after an isolated traumatic open fracture of the tibia. MRI with T2 and diffusion-weighted images revealed multiple, reversible brain lesions, suggesting vasogenic edema and consistent with this entity. At present, MR imaging is the most sensitive technique to evaluate cerebral fat embolism.
authors.affiliation: Service of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Canarias, Spain. peguia@telefonica.net
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eguia
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Garcia-Monco
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Fernando I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Monton
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D004620:Embolism, Fat / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000150:complications