| Abstract [eng] |
Introduction. Fat embolism is a common histological finding in trauma related deaths, especially long bone fractures. In forensic medicine, the interpretation of fat embolism requires evaluation in the context of demographic characteristics, trauma patterns, and toxicological findings, as these factors may influence both the circumstances of injury and the significance of the postmortem findings. Purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate cases of fat embolism in forensic medicine practice, analysing their demographic, toxicological and trauma-related characteristics, and their relationship to the circumstances of death. Methods. A retrospective analysis of 29 histologically confirmed forensic cases of fat embolism, registered in 2005- 2025 was performed. Demographic data, place of death, duration of hospitalization, toxicological findings, fracture characteristics were included in analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher‘s exact test, with significance set at p < 0,05. Results. The study included 19 men (65.5%) and 10 women (34.5%), with a mean age of 63.52 years. Ethyl alcohol was detected in 11 cases (37.9%) and was significantly more common in men than women (52.6% and 10.0%, p = 0.044). The mean ethyl alcohol was 1.15‰. Multiple fractures were found in 51.7% of cases, with femoral fractures being the most common. No significant associations were found between sex, fracture characteristcs, place of death, or alcohol detection. Conclusions. A significant association was found only between sex and alcohol detection, while other differences were not significant, likely due to the small sample size. |
