What Causes Fat Embolism Syndrome?

Osteomyelitis

An individual's osteomyelitis may cause them to develop fat embolism syndrome as a complication of their condition. Osteomyelitis describes the infection or inflammation of bone marrow or bone. This type of inflammation or infection is caused by a pathogenic infection entering the bone from the bloodstream or direct injury. When this process happens, immune components like neutrophils are summoned to the bone to try and eradicate the causative pathogen. If the infection overcomes the neutrophils in the bone, these dead cells begin to build at the infection site. This buildup can obstruct the flow of blood to the tissues and can result in bone death. While the exact mechanism has not been pinpointed, the development of fat emboli in affected individuals is known to be associated with the effects of elevated c-reactive protein. The liver produces and releases this protein in response to inflammation caused by numerous processes, including osteomyelitis and its associated bone tissue damage. C-reactive protein has a high potential to cause clumping or congregation of low-density lipoproteins, chylomicrons, and liposomes of nutritional fat compounds. It is an excessive provocation of this inflammatory process that causes the formation of fat emboli in the venous capillaries traveling to the lungs, producing symptoms of fat embolism syndrome.

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