Corticosteroids in experimental fat embolization.

FAT EMBOLI WERE FIRST described by Zenker in 1862 [24]. Since that time all aspects of the phenomenon have been the subject of controversy. Fat embolization refers to the finding of fat particles in tissues (especially lung, kidney, and brain). The fat emboli syndrome is a clinical picture thought to be produced by severe fat embolization. Fat embolization is associated with a diverse variety of clinical problems but most commonly occurs with trauma, associated with fracture of the long bones. Fat emboli are a common finding at autopsy following trauma. Sevitt reports an incidence of 89% [19]. However, the incidence of the fat emboli syndrome is much less. The exact incidence in significant trauma is difficult to ascertain due to difficulties in making the diagnosis and a lack of precise criteria as to what constitutes significant trauma. Fat embolization has been implicated as the cause of death in individuals dying after trauma in 5-25s of cases [ 18, 241. Mortality is related to the severity of in-