Fatal fat embolism in isolated vertebral compression fracture.
Fat embolism after long bone and pelvic fractures as well as orthopedic interventions is a well-documented phenomenon, but it is highly unusual after isolated vertebral fractures. We report a case of fatal fat embolism in a 78-year-old man after an isolated vertebral compression fracture with no related orthopedic intervention. A high index of suspicion is necessary for early diagnosis and successfully treating this unusual complication.
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Pennsylvania Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, 800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. Ricardo.lastra@uphs.upenn.edu
Ricardo R
RR
Lastra
Vilas
V
Saldanha
Manjula
M
Balasubramanian
John
J
Handal
D000368:Aged; D004620:Embolism, Fat / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D050815:Fractures, Compression / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology*