Fat Transfer and Fatal Macroembolization

Fat embolism is usually associated with long bone fractures or other trauma. The diagnosis is usually clinical, and in most cases, emboli are not fatal and not usually seen on gross examination. At the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office, we autopsied the victim of fatal macroscopic fat embolization to the lungs. The patient died during buttock enhancement surgery when fat from liposuction was injected into her buttocks. Fat embolism from liposuction and fat injection is reportedly rare, and macroscopic embolization is rarer still. Varicose veins can occur in the area of the sciatic notch and are known to cause painful sciatica symptoms. We suggest them as a potential conduit for macroscopic fat to reach the lungs. Simple pre‐operative questioning for sciatica symptoms and possible radiologic study to rule out sciatic varices seem prudent before undertaking buttock‐enhancing surgery. Careful fat injection with pre‐aspiration is always advised.     

肺动脉栓塞致死23例法医学分析

目的总结分析肺动脉栓塞致死的一般特点,探讨法医病理学鉴定要点及注意事项。方法对2001~2011年在中山大学法医鉴定中心鉴定的23例肺动脉栓塞案例进行回顾性分析。结果肺动脉栓塞致死以男性多见;发病年龄主要集中在31～70岁之间;主要诱因是严重外伤、长期卧床后运动,以下肢静脉系统血栓形成并脱落致肺动脉栓塞最为常见。结论对肺动脉栓塞致死案例法医病理学鉴定要点进行了总结。