Fat embolism syndrome managed by non-invasive ventilation--a case report

A 31-year-old male was struck by a motor cycle and diagnosed to have closed injury to the thigh involving right sided femur shaft fracture. Patient was operated on the next day by the orthopaedic surgeon. The patient did not have any signs of fat embolism syndrome before and after surgery. But the rare ECG change of S1Q3T3 (pulmonary embolism) was present before and after surgery. The presence of oedematous retina and cherry red spots in the macula was also present in the young patient. Patient developed all the classical signs of fat embolism syndrome 18 hours after surgery. The case had classic presentations of fat embolism syndrome managed by non-invasive ventilation. The role of steroids and albumin is also discussed as it was always a controversy in the management of fat embolism syndrome.