Fat emboli
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
The petechiae of fat emboli may signify fat embolism syndrome (FES), which is a life-threatening manifestation. This syndrome involves a triad of the petechial eruption, progressive respiratory failure, and deteriorating mental status. The incidence of FES is fourfold higher in men and in younger patients (aged 10-40 years).
A recent history of significant trauma to lower extremities should prompt a strong clinical suspicion for fat emboli in a patient presenting with a petechial eruption. Nontraumatic causes of fat emboli are rare and include disease processes that involve fat or marrow necrosis (osteomyelitis, acute pancreatitis, panniculitis, bone transplantation). Procedure-related causes of fat emboli include parenteral lipid infusion and intraosseous fluid and drug administration. FES has also been described after orthopedic and plastic surgery procedures (eg, liposuction, fat transplant), or rarely, without known trigger.
Codes
ICD10CM:T79.1XXA – Fat embolism (traumatic), initial encounter
SNOMEDCT:
212372004 – Fat embolism
Look For
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura – schistocytes or fragmented red cells on peripheral smear
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
- Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (formerly Henoch-Schönlein purpura) – usually in children younger than 10 years
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation – prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) in the setting of sepsis
- Atheroemboli – plaques tend to be more acral, retiform, and purpuric
- Pinch purpura in AL amyloidosis
- Valsalva purpura
- Telangiectasia macularis eruptiva perstans
Best Tests
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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References
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Last Reviewed:07/17/2021
Last Updated:07/27/2021
Last Updated:07/27/2021