Rapid-onset cerebral fat embolism syndrome leading to brain death: A case report

Fat Embolism Syndrome (FES) is a rare clinical phenomenon attributed to fat droplet embolization and subsequent multisystem organ failure, typically following traumatic orthopedic injury. It classically presents with hypoxemia, transient neurologic deficits, and skin changes that appear a day or more after the initial insult. Its exact mechanism remains unclear, although the mechanical obstruction of capillaries or production of toxic intermediaries following fat hydrolysis and extravasation of marrow have been described. Here, we present a new case of cerebral FES with symptom onset within 12 h and brain death within 48 h.