Fat Embolism Syndrome With Cerebral Involvement: An Underrecognized Complication of Long Bone Fractures

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) occurs when fat particles are aberrantly distributed into the microcirculation, and it often manifests as either hypoxemia, neurological deficit, or petechial rash. Although cases have been reported in the literature since the twentieth century, no formal diagnostic criteria have been universally adopted, and FES remains a diagnostic challenge. We present a unique case of FES from a long bone fracture, leading to pulmonary embolism with paradoxical arterial embolization and cerebral infarction, and provide a review of the related literature.