Fulminant Fat Embolism Syndrome after Femoral Fracture in a Patient with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: An Autopsy Case

Fat embolism syndrome is a rare but potentially fatal complication that can occur after major trauma, long-bone fracture, or orthopedic surgery. Symptoms typically manifest 24–72 hours after the initial injury. However, in patients with severe underlying disease, the disease course can be aggressive and occasionally fatal within hours. This report presents an autopsy-confirmed case of rapidly progressive fat embolism syndrome after a femoral fracture in a patient with severe idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The patient experienced progressive respiratory distress within two hours of the fracture and died five hours post-injury. Postmortem examination revealed advanced pulmonary fibrosis and clear evidence of a systemic fat embolism.