Early Diagnosis And Treatment Of Fat Embolism Syndrome

Objective To explore the early diagnosis and treatment for the fat embolism syndrome.Methods Twelve cases of FES have been treated in our hospital from march 1996 to march 2006.We recorded the main clinical presentation of all cases, including hypoxaemia , cerebral confusion, respiratory distress and petechiae, Pyrexia of 39 degrees Celsius or above,and typical bilateral diffuse patchy areas of consolidation in radiographic examination of the chest. We also record the period between injury and the onset of these symptoms. The main earliest clinical manifestation and The integrated treatment were analysed in these cases.Results Hypoxaemia was observed in all 12 cases and the mean period between injury and the onset of these symptoms was 15 hour. Erebral confusion, respiratory distress and petechiae, pyrexia of 39 degrees Celsius or above,and typical bilateral diffuse patchy areas of consolidation in radiographic examination of the chest was observed in 6, 5, 2, 2, 4 cases respectively. All patients were acepted respiratory support and administration of corticosteroids.nine patients recovered fully, two died and one was in vegetative state.Conclusion The main earliest clinical manifestation of FES was hypoxaemia. Respiratory support and administration of corticosteroids in high dosage were main treatment for FES.