Man With Post-Traumatic Leg Swelling: A Morel-Lavallée Lesion

Division

Far West

Hospital

Riverside Community Hospital

Document Type

Case Report

Publication Date

6-9-2020

Keywords

morel-lavallee, closed degloving, swelling, post-traumatic

Disciplines

Emergency Medicine | Trauma

Abstract

Morel-Lavallée lesions are closed degloving soft tissue injuries that should be considered in post-traumatic patients with persistent pain or swelling. Physicians must keep a high index of suspicion for this commonly missed entity, as early diagnosis is critical to preventing complications. We describe a case of a 46-year-old male who presented to the emergency department following a motorcycle accident. Initial radiographic imaging did not show evidence of osseous injury, and he was discharged home. He later returned with worsening right thigh pain and swelling. Further imaging showed a large fluid collection between the muscle and subcutaneous tissues consistent with a Morel-Lavallée lesion. This case report discusses the common presentation, diagnostic modalities, and treatments to help improve the identification and management of Morel-Lavallée lesions.

Publisher or Conference

Cureus

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