The printable version is no longer supported and may have rendering errors. Please update your browser bookmarks and please use the default browser print function instead.
Background
- Posttraumatic, closed degloving injury[1]
- Results in subcutaneous fluid collection after abrupt separation of skin and subcutaneous tissues from underlying fascia[2]
- Disrupts capillaries and lymphatics resulting in leakage of lymph, blood, and necrotic fat
- Most commonly seen in proximal thigh or overlying hip
- Also reported in trunk, prepatellar region, lumbar region, or scapular regions
- If not diagnosed early, can become infected
Clinical Features
- Enlarging, painful area of swelling
- Soft tissue fluctuance
- Associated with high-energy, blunt trauma with or without associated fracture
Differential Diagnosis
Look-A-Likes
Evaluation
Morel-Lavallee lesion is a closed traumatic soft-tissue degloving injury, caused by separation of the hypodermis from the underlying fascia. It most frequently occurs in the peritrochanteric region along the proximal lateral thigh, such as in this CT scan.
- Evaluate for tenderness, fluctuance
- Labs
- CBC- can have significant bleeding into the lesion, watch Hb
- Imaging
- MRI is modality of choice for evaluation, but these lesions are also visible on CT
- Ultrasound can show a fluid collection, but can't be used to rule out
Management
- Will require surgical consultation and drainage
Disposition
See Also
External Links
References
- ↑ Nair AV, Nazar P, Sekhar R, Ramachandran P, Moorthy S. Morel-Lavallée lesion: A closed degloving injury that requires real attention. The Indian Journal of Radiology & Imaging. 2014;24(3):288-290. doi:10.4103/0971-3026.137053.
- ↑ J Emerg Med. 2015 Jul;49(1):e1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2014.12.084. Epub 2015 Apr 2.