# "Bone marrow in the bloodstream" -- fatal? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 9, 2010, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bone-marrow-in-the-bloodstream-fatal/546090 "2010-07-09T13:20:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2010, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bone-marrow-in-the-bloodstream-fatal/546090/1 "2010-07-09T13:20:22Z")
I’m currently proofing some stuff on the novel _A Separate Peace_, which I’ve never read. Apparently a character in this novel (and I won’t specify which one, lest that be considered a spoiler) dies after a broken bone results in bone marrow getting into his or her bloodstream. That sounds goofy to me. Would you die if you got bone marrow in your bloodstream? Why? TIA. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2010, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bone-marrow-in-the-bloodstream-fatal/546090/2 "2010-07-09T13:25:32Z")
It could block a capillary. Depending on where that was, it can kill you. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2010, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bone-marrow-in-the-bloodstream-fatal/546090/3 "2010-07-09T13:28:55Z")
[Fat embolism](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fat_embolism) > [@](#): > > Fat emboli can occur whenever there is a chance for [fat](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fat) to enter the [circulatory system](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circulatory_system), such as during surgery or trauma. A common scenario is fatty [marrow](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marrow) entering the circulation after a fracture to a large [long bone](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_bone),[[1]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fat_embolism#cite_note-urlForensic_Pathology-0) such as the [femur](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Femur),[[2]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fat_embolism#cite_note-1) or [pelvis](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelvis), or after surgery on such a bone. > It can also occur during [childbirth](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childbirth). > > … > > Fat Embolism Syndrome (FES) is distinct from the presence of fat emboli. Symptoms usually occur 1-3 days after the injury, and are predominantly: pulmonary (shortness of breath, hypoxemia), neurological (agitation, delirium, or coma), dermatological (petechial rash), and haematological (anaemia, low platelets). The syndrome manifests more frequently in closed fractures of the pelvis or long bones. The petechial rash, which usually resolves in 5-7 days is said to be pathognomonic of the syndrome; however, it occurs in only 20-50% of cases. > The risk of fat embolism syndrome is thought to be reduced by early immobilization of fractures, especially by early operative correction. There is also some evidence that steroid prophylaxis of high-risk patients reduces the incidence. The mortality rate of fat-embolism syndrome is approximately 5-15%. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2010, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bone-marrow-in-the-bloodstream-fatal/546090/4 "2010-07-09T13:29:21Z")
Ho yez, it’s a real concern for people when they break large bones: [Fat Embolism](http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=116363) > [@](#): > > Up to 90% of cases are associated with trauma, and fracture of or surgery on a large bone, such as the femur bone of the thigh. As a result of the broken bone, the bone marrow fat escapes into the bloodstream. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2010, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bone-marrow-in-the-bloodstream-fatal/546090/5 "2010-07-09T13:30:54Z")
Huh. Guess so! Thanks for the quick answers, guys – I was kind of vaguely stuck on “that’s where blood is made, so it’s all good stuff biochemically…” and didn’t think through the physical properties involved. Ignorance fought again!