Fat embolism

The term “fat embolism” rised up to number 1 on Google Trends as the term was used on Fox’s popular television show House during the season finale in America recently.

According to a web of House Recap and Review , House really sad after he realised only after his patient died, that she actually suffer from "fat embolism".

What is fat embolism, and what are the causes of a it?

Fat emboli can occur whenever there is a chance for fat to enter the circulatory system, such as during surgery or trauma. A common scenario is fattymarrow entering the circulation after a fracture to a large long bone such as the femur or pelvis, or after surgery on such a bone. It can also occur during childbirth. (ref: Wikipedia)

Unlike emboli that arise from thrombi (blood clots), fat emboli are small and multiple, and so have widespread effects.

Fat Embolism Syndrome (FES) is distinct from the presence of fat emboli. Symptoms usually occur 1-3 days after the insult, and are predominantly: pulmonary (shortness of breath, hypoxemia), neurological (agitation, delirium, or coma), dermatological (petechial rash), and haematological (anaemia, low platelets). The syndrome manifests more frequently in closed fractures of the pelvis or long bones. The petechial rash, which usually resolves in 5-7 days is said to be pathognomonic of the syndrome; however, it only occurs in 20-50% of cases.

The risk of fat embolism syndrome is thought to be reduced by early immobilization of fractures, especially by early operative correction. There is also some evidence that steroid prophylaxis of high risk patients reduces the incidence. The mortality rate of fat embolism syndrome is approximately 5-15%. (ref: also from Wikipedia)