Pathophysiology-based Interpretation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Management of Cerebral Fat Embolism: Case Report and Review of Literature

Cerebral fat embolism (CFE) is a rare, albeit serious complication of long-bone fractures. CFE results in variable neurological disability, often associated with a significant recovery time. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), particulary diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), is the most sensitive method to establish a diagnosis of CFE, with typical findings of multiple punctate highintensity lesions within the brain parenchyma. The pathophysiology of CFE remains unclear; However, it is considered a direct expression of small vessel occlusion by fat droplets. The authors present a patient with abrupt and profound neurological deterioration after long-bone fractures for which early supportive treatment with rapid diagnostic confirmation using brain MRI led to a significant recovery.