Morel-Lavallée lesion

Background

• Posttraumatic, closed degloving injury
• Results in subcutaneous fluid collection after abrupt separation of skin and subcutaneous tissues from underlying fascia
  • Disrupts capillaries and lymphatics resulting in leakage of lymph, blood, and necrotic fat
• Most commonly seen in proximal thigh
  • 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

Differential Diagnosis

• Hematoma
• Deep venous thrombosis
• Compartment syndrome
• Septic joint
• Necrotizing fasciitis

Extremity trauma

• Compartment syndrome
• Contusion
• Crush syndrome
• Degloving injury
  • Morel-Lavallée lesion
  • Ring avulsion injury
• Fracture
  • Open fracture
• Laceration
• Myositis ossificans
• Open joint injury
• Peripheral nerve injury
• Rhabdomyolysis
• Tendon injury
• Vascular injury