Case Report of Fat Embolism Syndrome – Sequelae of Encephalopathy from a Traumatic Humerus Fracture

This case report details a rare and critical complication involving a fat embolism syndrome leading to a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) in a 62-year-old woman following a humeral fracture. The patient’s initial presentation of a displaced right humeral fracture was planned to be managed during outpatient orthopedic follow-up. However, a subsequent return to the emergency department for altered mental status prompted diagnostic imaging, revealing acute multifocal infarcts consistent with fat embolism CVA secondary to the humeral fracture. Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is usually associated with orthopedic trauma of the femur or pelvis. This case highlights the importance of recognizing atypical presentations of fat embolism syndrome and necessitates a multidisciplinary approach for prompt intervention in managing patients with orthopedic trauma and complications.