Starfield pattern (fat embolism)

Last revised by Yahya Baba ◉ on 13 Feb 2022

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Gaillard F, Baba Y, Bell D, et al. Starfield pattern (fat embolism). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 26 Sep 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-58475

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-58475

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/58475

rID:

58475

Article created:

19 Feb 2018, Frank Gaillard ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Frank Gaillard had no recorded disclosures.

View Frank Gaillard's current disclosures

Last revised:

13 Feb 2022, Yahya Baba ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Yahya Baba had no recorded disclosures.

View Yahya Baba's current disclosures

Revisions:

6 times, by 4 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Central Nervous System, Trauma

Sections:

Signs

Synonyms:

Starfield pattern (cerebral fat embolism)

A starfield pattern has been described as being typical of DWI of patients with cerebral fat embolism ^1,2. Although the term is closely linked to the diagnosis of fat embolism, it should be noted that such an appearance is merely the result of very numerous microemboli. As such, a similar pattern may be seen in other causes of microembolism, although generally, the number of lesions will be far fewer in thromboembolism than in fat embolism.