ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: fat embolism syndrome (FES) is an acute respiratory disorder that occurs when an inflammatory response causes the embolization of fat and marrow particles into the bloodstream. The exact incidence of FES is not well defined due to the difficulty of diagnosis. FES is mostly associated with isolated long bone trauma, and it is usually misdiagnosed in other trauma cases. The scope of this study was to identify and search the current literature for cases of FES in nonorthopedic trauma patients with the aim of defining the etiology, incidence, and main clinical manifestations. METHODS: we perform a literature search via the PubMed journal to find, summarize, and incorporate reports of fat embolisms in patients presenting with non-orthopedic trauma. RESULTS: the final literature search yielded 23 papers of patients presenting with fat embolism/FES due to non-orthopedic trauma. The presentation and etiology of these fat embolisms is varied and complex, differing from patient to patient. In this review, we highlight the importance of maintaining a clinical suspicion of FES within the trauma and critical care community. CONCLUSION: to help trauma surgeons and clinicians identify FES cases in trauma patients who do not present with long bone fracture, we also present the main clinical signs of FES as well as the possible treatment and prevention options.
Subject(s)
Embolism, Fat , Wounds and Injuries , Embolism, Fat/etiology , Embolism, Fat/diagnosis , Embolism, Fat/therapy , Humans , Wounds and Injuries/complicationsABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Introduction: fat embolism syndrome (FES) is an acute respiratory disorder that occurs when an inflammatory response causes the embolization of fat and marrow particles into the bloodstream. The exact incidence of FES is not well defined due to the difficulty of diagnosis. FES is mostly associated with isolated long bone trauma, and it is usually misdiagnosed in other trauma cases. The scope of this study was to identify and search the current literature for cases of FES in nonorthopedic trauma patients with the aim of defining the etiology, incidence, and main clinical manifestations. Methods: we perform a literature search via the PubMed journal to find, summarize, and incorporate reports of fat embolisms in patients presenting with non-orthopedic trauma. Results: the final literature search yielded 23 papers of patients presenting with fat embolism/FES due to non-orthopedic trauma. The presentation and etiology of these fat embolisms is varied and complex, differing from patient to patient. In this review, we highlight the importance of maintaining a clinical suspicion of FES within the trauma and critical care community. Conclusion: to help trauma surgeons and clinicians identify FES cases in trauma patients who do not present with long bone fracture, we also present the main clinical signs of FES as well as the possible treatment and prevention options.
RESUMO Introdução: a síndrome da embolia gordurosa (SEG) representa um distúrbio respiratório agudo que ocorre quando uma resposta inflamatória leva a uma embolização de partículas de gordura e medula na corrente sanguínea. A incidência exata da SEG não está bem estabelecida devido à dificuldade de diagnóstico. Tal síndrome está associada principalmente a traumas isolados de ossos longos e geralmente é diagnosticada erroneamente em outros casos de trauma. O escopo deste estudo foi de realizar uma pesquisa e identificar na literatura atual casos de SEG em pacientes com trauma de natureza não ortopédica com o objetivo de definir a etiologia, a incidência e as principais manifestações clínicas. Métodos: foi realizada uma pesquisa na literatura utilizando como base de dados o PubMed a fim de identificar os relatos e series de casos de embolias gordurosas em pacientes vítimas de traumas de natureza não ortopédica. A pesquisa final resultou em 23 artigos de pacientes que apresentaram embolia gordurosa/SEG devido a trauma não ortopédico. Resultados: a apresentação e a etiologia dessas embolias gordurosas são variadas e complexas, diferindo de paciente para paciente. Nesta revisão, destacamos a importância de manter uma suspeita clínica de SEG para pacientes vítimas de trauma que se encontrem sob cuidados intensivos. Conclusão: para ajudar os cirurgiões de trauma e os clínicos a identificar casos de SEG em pacientes com trauma que não apresentam fratura de ossos longos, foram destacados os principais sinais clínicos de SEG, bem como as possíveis opções de tratamento e prevenção.