This presentation is concerned with a detailed histopathologic study of the cerebral lesions associated with fat embolism. Their analysis revealed certain similarities to the early focal lesions of demyelination occurring in cases of disseminated sclerosis.
REPORT OF CASES
Case 1.—History.
—A 20 year old white man, a student, had been struck by an automobile one hour before admission to the hospital. Roentgen studies revealed comminuted fracture of the middle third of the left tibia and fibula. The previous history was normal.On the morning of admission (1 a. m.) the patient was alert, and the results of physical examination were normal except for fracture of the left leg. He failed to respond during early morning care, and an hour later he could not be aroused for breakfast. He never regained consciousness. Urinary and fecal incontinence was noted. The temperature was 101.6 F., the pulse rate 100, the respiratory rate