MR imaging of the brain in fat embolism syndrome

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is an uncommon but serious complication of traumatic injury and is frequently diagnostically challenging. In this paper, the authors present four patients who sustained lower extremity long bone injury and who had a normal Glasgow Coma Scale before orthopedic surgical intervention. However, postoperatively, significant neurological deterioration developed in these patients. While cranial computed tomography (CT) obtained immediately after surgery for acutely altered mental status was negative in two of the four patients, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated white and gray matter abnormalities accounting for the impaired neurological status in all cases. MRI findings in conjunction with clinical presentation established the diagnosis in all patients. MRI is indicated in any patient with orthopedic injuries who manifests an unexplained acute alteration in mental status, despite a normal head CT.