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Fatal fat embolism in isolated vertebral compression fracture
Ricardo R Lastra1, Vilas Saldanha, Manjula Balasubramanian
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Pennsylvania Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, 800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. Ricardo.lastra@uphs.upenn.edu
Abstract:
Fat embolism after long bone and pelvic fractures as well as orthopedic interventions is a well-documented phenomenon, but it is highly unusual after isolated vertebral fractures. We report a case of fatal fat embolism in a 78-year-old man after an isolated vertebral compression fracture with no related orthopedic intervention. A high index of suspicion is necessary for early diagnosis and successfully treating this unusual complication.
