J Korean Soc Magn Reson Med.  2010 Jun;14(1):69-73. 10.13104/jksmrm.2010.14.1.69.

Pathophysiology-based Interpretation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Management of Cerebral Fat Embolism: Case Report and Review of Literature

• Park JH
• Lim BC

• KMID: 1782996
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.13104/jksmrm.2010.14.1.69

Abstract

Cerebral fat embolism (CFE) is a rare, albeit potentially lethal complication of long-bone fractures. All trauma patients who are initially lucid and subsequently experience mental status deterioration should undergo immediate evaluation of possible CFE. In the present case, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was the most sensitive technique for the diagnosis of CFE, particularly the use of diffusion-weighted images (DWI). The authors present this case to report a pathophysiology-based interpretation of the MR characteristics and treatment of CFE.

Keyword

Embolism; Fat; Magnetic resonance (MR)

MeSH Terms

Embolism
Embolism, Fat
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Magnetics
Magnets

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 MR images of the brain acquired eight hours after neurological deterioration show multiple small focal lesions in the basal ganglias, centrum semiovale, and subcortical white matter of both hemispheres. The hyperintensity lesions are most prominent on the diffusion-weighted image (DWI).

• 

  Fig. 2 Follow-up MR images of the brain performed two weeks later show a marked decrease in the size and number of hyperintensity lesion in the subcortical white matter based on DWI, FLAIR, and T2WI images.

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