Fatal cerebral fat embolism associated with a patent foramen ovale

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) has been recognized for more than 100 years, but controversy remains with regard to the mechanism of systemic fat embolism. We report a case of healthy 30-years-old men who developed respiratory failure and brain death within 48 h of bilateral tibial fractures. Autopsy showed fat embolism in the lung and brain, and a large patent oval foramen that may have contr ibuted to massive cerebral fat embolism.

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