[Cerebral fat emboli after elective total hip replacement].

Fat embolism is a well known complication to fractures of long bones, but is less often seen after surgery. The symptoms vary from non- to total pulmonary and circulatory collapse and also include cerebral affection. Cerebral fat embolism is less common, and with varying presentation. This case report describes a case of fatal cerebral fat embolism after total hip replacement in a 75-year-old male. Diagnostics can be difficult but diffusion-weighted MRI can detect infarctions at an early stage. Treatment is symptomatic, and there is often total spontaneous remission of symptoms.