Morel-Lavallée lesion

Original Editor - Wendy Snyders Top Contributors - Wendy Snyders

Definition[edit | edit source]

A Morel-Lavallée lesion (MLL) was first described in 1853[1] [2]. It is a closed soft-tissue degloving injury[1][3][4][5][6] that usually occurs after blunt trauma[1][2][3][5]. In recent literature, it can also be referred to as  Morel-Lavallée seroma or effusion, post-traumatic soft tissue cysts or post-traumatic extravasations[2].

Epidemiology and aetiology[edit | edit source]

These injuries are uncommon[2] and there is no consensus on the ratio of men to women. One source reported a 2:1 ratio[2] while another reported a 1:1 ratio[7].

These injuries occur due to blunt trauma after:

MLL can also be iatrogenic e.g. after abdominal liposuction or mammoplasty[1][2][6]

Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]

Case courtesy of Dr Matt Skalski, <a href="https://radiopaedia.org/?lang=us">Radiopaedia.org</a>. From the case <a href="https://radiopaedia.org/cases/22762?lang=us">rID: 22762</a>

MLL occurs due to shearing forces which separate the skin and subcutaneous tissue from the deep fascia, causing a potential space[1][2][4][5][8][10][11]. Damage to the lymphatic and blood vessels leads to an accumulation of blood and lymph[1][3][4][8][10] and necrotic fat[1][3][8][12] in the potential space, causing a haematoma or seroma[10]. Blood will start to be reabsorbed over time leaving a serosanguinous fluid surrounded by a haemosiderin layer[2]. Inflammation is then induced by the haemosiderin layer leading to a fibrous capsule[2][11]. This fibrous capsule prevents more fluid reabsorption, initiating a chronic MLL[3].

MLL are often associated with pelvic or acetabular fractures but can also occur without a fracture[9].

Secondary risk factors for an MLL include female gender and BMI of over 25[1].

Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]

MLL occurs most commonly over the greater trochanter (>60% of cases) (1,2,5,6,8,11), proximal femur (2,5,1,), buttock (2,3,6), knee (2,6,8,11) and in rare cases, the lumbar region (2,3,6,11). It can also occur at the scapula (3,8). Delayed presentation (months or years) can occur in up to ⅓ of patients (1,5). The most common signs and symptoms include:

  • Pain (1,3,,45)
  • Swelling (1,4,5)
  • Stiffness (6,13)
  • Cutaneous anaesthesia or hypothesia may be present (1,3,4,5)
  • Ecchymosis may be present (13)
  • Abrasions may be present (13)
  • Secondary dermal changes e.g. discolouration, frank necrosis, drying/cracking (1,13)
  • Compressible, fluctuant swollen area  (1,3,5,6,13). The fluctuant swelling is an essential clinical characteristic (13)

Complications[edit | edit source]

The necrotic tissue associated with the MLL is particularly susceptible to infection(2) and if infection occurs, it can lead to

  • Cellulitis (2)
  • Abscess (2)
  • Osteomyelitis (2)
  • Necrosis of underlying tissues due to pressure (13)

Diagnostic Procedures[edit | edit source]

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Management / Interventions
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Differential Diagnosis
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Resources
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References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Diviti S, Gupta N, Hooda K, Sharma K, Lo L. Morel-Lavallee lesions-review of pathophysiology, clinical findings, imaging findings and management. Journal of clinical and diagnostic research: JCDR. 2017 Apr;11(4):TE01.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 Singh R, Rymer B, Youssef B, Lim J. The Morel-Lavallée lesion and its management: a review of the literature. Journal of orthopaedics. 2018 Dec 1;15(4):917-21.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Zairi F, Wang Z, Shedid D, Boubez G, Sunna T. Lumbar Morel-Lavallée lesion: case report and review of the literature. Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research. 2016 Jun 1;102(4):525-7.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 LaTulip S, Rao RR, Sielaff A, Theyyunni N, Burkhardt J. Ultrasound utility in the diagnosis of a Morel-Lavallée lesion. Case Reports in Emergency Medicine. 2017 Feb 1;2017.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Depaoli R, Canepari E, Bortolotto C, Ferrozzi G. Morel-Lavallée lesion of the knee in a soccer player. Journal of ultrasound. 2015 Mar;18(1):87-9.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Mettu R, Surath HV, Chayam HR, Surath A. Chronic Morel-Lavallée lesion: a novel minimally invasive method of treatment. Wounds. 2016 Nov 1;28(11):404-7.
  7. ↑ Christian D, Leland HA, Osias W, Eberlin S, Howell L. Delayed presentation of a chronic Morel-Lavallee lesion. Journal of Radiology Case Reports. 2016 Jul;10(7):30.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 De Coninck T, Vanhoenacker F, Verstraete K. Imaging features of Morel-Lavallée lesions. Journal of the Belgian Society of Radiology. 2017;101(Suppl 2).
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Badjate DM, Jain D, Phansopkar P, Wadhokar OC. A Physical Therapy Rehabilitative Approach in Improving Activities of Daily Living in a Patient With Morel-Lavallée Syndrome: A Case Report. Cureus. 2022 Sep 24;14(9).
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Weiss NA, Johnson JJ, Anderson SB. Morel-lavallee lesion initially diagnosed as quadriceps contusion: ultrasound, MRI, and importance of early intervention. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2015 May;16(3):438.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Cruz N, Jiménez R. Morel-Lavallée lesion diagnosed 25 years after blunt trauma. International Journal of Surgery Case Reports. 2021 Apr 1;81:105733.
  12. ↑ Cochran GK, Hanna KH. Morel-Lavallee lesion in the upper extremity. Hand. 2017 Jan;12(1):NP10-3.
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