Rare Encounter of Cerebral Fat Embolism Post Motor Vehicle Accident: A Case Report

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is known to occur when fat macroglobules get embolized into the blood circulation, whereby they then get dispersed out to multiple organs including the brain. It's typically diagnosed when the patient sustains a neurological dysfunction, respiratory insufficiency, and petechial rash, the classical triad of FES. Cerebral fat embolism occurrence is rarely seen. In this case report, a 20-year-old male was admitted due to a closed left midshaft femur fracture from a motor vehicle accident, and sustained cerebral manifestation of fat embolism syndrome 32 hours post the incident. It was noted that the patient had the classical triad of FES and intubation was done for airway protection. MRI revealed features of cerebral fat embolism. Interlocking nail fixation of the left femur was done for this patient on day three after admission. On day 15 post trauma, the patient was successfully extubated. Adequate supportive management was given and the patient's prognosis improved. As a practitioner, it is important to recognize and diagnose cerebral fat embolism as early as possible so as to have a much better outcome and to avoid any unnecessary investigation.