title: Fat emboli syndrome in a nondisplaced tibia fracture.
abstract: Fat emboli syndrome is a well-recognized complication of displaced long bone fractures, often times requiring internal fixation. Treatment is generally supportive and is most successful with early diagnosis. This article describes a case of fat emboli syndrome resulting from a nondisplaced tibia fracture treated with long leg casting. This case demonstrates that fat emboli should be considered as a potential complication of any long bone fracture and should be part of the differential diagnosis for any patient unconscious or in respiratory distress that has sustained a recent long bone fracture.
authors.affiliation: Univercity of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV, USA.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sara
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kenyhertz
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Herbert
authors.forename: Gregory A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Lundeen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017760:Bone Malalignment; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D004620:Embolism, Fat / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005592:Fracture Fixation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013577:Syndrome; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome