A 30 year old man had a road traffic accident and sustained fracture of femur. Two days later he developed sudden breathlessness. The most probable cause can be:
Correct Answer: Fat Embolism
Description: Ans. D. Fat EmbolismThe fat globules released from the bone marrow (due to trauma/orthopedic procedures) are deposited in the pulmonary capillary bed. This causes ischemia and inflammation. The symptoms appear 12-72 hours after the trauma. Initial symptoms are tachycardia and tachypnea. There may be high spiking fever and non-palpable petechiae, especially over upper body.Neurological symptoms like agitation, delirium, stupor and coma can occur. (The fat globules may cross the pulmonary circulation via arteriovenous connections).
Category:
Orthopaedics
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