title: Neuroimaging findings in a case of cerebral fat embolism syndrome with delayed recovery.
abstract: A young male with multiple lower limb fractures admitted to our Intensive Care Unit was diagnosed with cerebral fat embolism syndrome (FES) based on clinical features and initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which showed multiple hyperintensities on T2-weighted imaging, involving bilateral cerebral and cerebellar hemispheres, predominantly in the watershed territory. The serial MRI done at 3 weeks showed more prominent and larger sized lesions which were in line with the patient's initial low Glasgow Coma Score and indicated severe cerebral insult. The patient responded well to supportive intensive care therapy; his neurological recovery though slow was consistent as he could return to his full functional status after 6 months. The follow-up MRI showed resolution of the most of earlier lesions. This indicates potentially good outcomes even in severe cases of cerebral FES with appropriate medical care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Employees' State Insurance Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Divya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sethi
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Employees' State Insurance Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Shveta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kajal
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Employees' State Insurance Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Anupriya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saxena
keywords: Cerebral; fat embolism syndrome; intensive care; magnetic resonance imaging; neurological