title: A traumatic case of fat embolism.
abstract: A fit and healthy 47-year-old woman developed type I respiratory failure 2 days following surgical fixation for a left intertrochanteric neck of femur fracture. She presented to the acute trauma unit following a fall off a horse and had a long dynamic hip screw fixation in theatre. Postoperatively, she became confused and hypoxic. Her chest X-ray was inconclusive and her CT pulmonary angiogram showed diffuse patchy ground glass shadowing in keeping with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Following review by intensive care and respiratory physicians, a diagnosis of acute lung injury secondary to fat embolism was reached. The patient made a good recovery on the orthopaedic ward with supportive treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust, Truro, UK. lucy_telford@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Telford
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D055371:Acute Lung Injury / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004620:Embolism, Fat / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005265:Femoral Neck Fractures / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed