[Fat embolism in the spleen].

A fat embolism is seldom seen in the spleen. In some cases, fat globules lie in the central arteries and capillaries of the Malpighian bodies only and in other cases in the red pulp in capillaries or sinus. Part of the fat droplets has been phagocytosed by mononuclear cells, especially when patients die some days after injury and the beginning of fat embolism in the systemic circulation. The distribution of fat emboli described can been explained by the peculiarities of vascular structures in form of sheathed capillaries, which arise from pencil arterioles and probably do not permit fat globules to pass the capillary wall in this part of the vasculature.