Citation

Telford L, Harris J. BMJ Case Rep. 2013; 2013: 2013-200142.

Affiliation

Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust, Truro, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bcr-2013-200142

PMID

23833102

Abstract

A fit and healthy 47-year-old woman developed type I respiratory failure 2 days following surgical fixation for a left intertrochanteric neck of femur fracture. She presented to the acute trauma unit following a fall off a horse and had a long dynamic hip screw fixation in theatre. Postoperatively, she became confused and hypoxic. Her chest X-ray was inconclusive and her CT pulmonary angiogram showed diffuse patchy ground glass shadowing in keeping with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Following review by intensive care and respiratory physicians, a diagnosis of acute lung injury secondary to fat embolism was reached. The patient made a good recovery on the orthopaedic ward with supportive treatment.

Language: en