Arterial Fat Embolism in a Pediatric Patient with Femur Fracture: A Case Report

Here, we present the case of a pediatric polytrauma patient found to have lower extremity intra-arterial fat embolism causing ischemic necrosis and ultimately necessitating below-the-knee amputation.

Fat embolism, a common complication of long bone fractures in adults, can be associated with significant morbidity. Although rare, it should be considered among the possible etiologies for a pulseless limb after trauma. Early fracture stabilization may prevent fat embolism and fat embolism syndrome; however, there is no known definitive treatment, and management is supportive.