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Morel-Lavallée lesion - left hip

Case contributed by James Linklater
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Pain and swelling left lateral hip.

Patient Data

Age: 55 years
Gender: Female

Note: This case has been tagged as "legacy" as it no longer meets image preparation and/or other case publication guidelines.

Left hip joint

mri

Circumscribed thin-walled fluid collection at the interface between the subcutaneous fat and deep fascia, with fluid-fluid level and small globular focus of fat signal intensity.

Case Discussion

Post-traumatic, closed, internal degloving injuries.

One-third of patients present months or years after the initial injury and can mimic a soft tissue tumor, but the location and shape of the lesion, conforming to that of the fascial plane is atypical for tumor.

Site: usually subcutaneous tissues over the greater trochanter. Also described along flank, buttock, lumbar spine, scapula, and knee.

Macroscopic pathology: oval, fusiform, or crescentic, consistent with fluid dissecting along traumatized fascial planes.

MRI findings: hemolymphatic fluid, blood degradation products, fat (viable or necrotic), capsule variably present, varying degrees of enhancement.

The presence of a capsule may be a factor in choosing surgical treatment over conservative management.

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