Imaging and histological findings of fat embolism in the vena cava

We describe an unusual case of a post-traumatic fat embolism in the vena cava and left femoral vein identified on CT before the onset of fat embolism syndrome. The patient was successfully treated by insertion of a vena cava filter and venous thrombectomy. This is the first occurrence of early identification of a large fat embolus allowing its extraction before occurrence of severe respiratory failure.