Fat And Bone Marrow Embolism Flashcards
What is the definition of sudden death in pathology?
Sudden death refers to an unexpected death occurring within a short time frame, often due to acute medical conditions.
What are the major consequences of pulmonary embolism?
Consequences include:
* Pulmonary hypertension
* Chronic cor pulmonale
* Pulmonary arteriosclerosis
List some heart diseases associated with embolism.
- Myocardial infarction
- Cardiomyopathy
- Rheumatic heart disease (RHD)
- Congenital heart disease
- Infective endocarditis
- Prosthetic cardiac valves
What are the common sites of arterial emboli lodgement?
- Lower extremity
- Brain
- Internal visceral organs (spleen, kidneys, intestines)
Fill in the blank: Obstruction of arterioles and capillaries by fat globules constitutes _______.
[fat embolism]
What is the most common traumatic cause of fat embolism?
Trauma to bones, particularly fractures of long bones.
Identify non-traumatic causes of fat embolism.
- Trauma to soft tissue
- Extensive burns
- Diabetes mellitus
- Fatty liver
- Pancreatitis
- Sickle cell anemia
- Decompression sickness
- Inflammation of bones and soft tissues
- Hyperlipidaemia
- Extrinsic fat or oils introduced into the body
- Cardiopulmonary bypass surgery
What are the two main mechanisms explained in the pathogenesis of fat embolism?
- Mechanical obstruction
- Biochemical injury
True or False: Biochemical injury in fat embolism is solely due to mechanical obstruction.
False
What is the clinical triad characteristic of fat embolism syndrome?
- Hypoxaemia
- Neurologic manifestations
- Petechial rash
What are the common microscopic findings in the lungs due to fat embolism?
- Hyperaemia
- Oedema
- Petechial haemorrhages
- Changes of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Fill in the blank: Fat globules in pulmonary arteries appear as _______ in routine stains.
[vacuoles]
What are some pathological findings in the brain due to systemic fat embolism?
- Petechial haemorrhages on the leptomeninges
- Minute haemorrhages in the parenchyma
- Microinfarcts of the brain
- Oedema
What effects can renal fat embolism have?
- Decreased glomerular filtration
- Tubular damage
- Renal insufficiency
What are some findings in systemic fat embolism beyond the brain and kidneys?
- Petechiae in the skin
- Conjunctivae
- Serosal surfaces
- Fat globules in urine and sputum
