Proximal Pulmonary Fat Embolism on Non-Contrast Chest CT.

Abstract

We report in this clinical case a proximal pulmonary fat embolism detected on unenhanced chest computed tomography (CT) responsible for a recovered cardiac arrest during a left total hip arthroplasty for a femoral neck fracture. This observation underscores the diagnostic value of integrating a non-contrast phase in chest CT in the postoperative context of orthopedic surgery, as it ensures accurate identification of the fatty nature of pulmonary arterial thrombi and thereby contributes to improved diagnostic accuracy and differential diagnosis.