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The Morel-Lavallée lesion: pathophysiology, clinical presentation, imaging features, and treatment options

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Abstract

Morel-Lavallée lesions are posttraumatic hemolymphatic collections related to shearing injury and disruption of interfascial planes between subcutaneous soft tissue and muscle. We review the pathophysiology of Morel-Lavallée lesions, clinical presentation, and potential sites of involvement. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the modality of choice for characterization. We present the MRI classification and highlight the key imaging features that distinguish the different types, focusing on the three most common: seroma, subacute hematoma, and chronic organizing hematoma. Potential mimics of Morel-Lavallée lesions, such as soft tissue sarcoma and hemorrhagic prepatellar bursitis, are compared and contrasted. Treatment options and a management algorithm are also briefly discussed.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Matthew R. Skalski, D.C. for his work in producing the illustrations for Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Iris Bonilla-Yoon & Benjamin D. Levine

  2. Department of Radiology, Greater Los Angeles Veterans Administration, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA

    Sulabha Masih & Kira Chow

  3. Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1500 San Pablo Street, 2nd Floor Imaging, Los Angeles, CA, 90033-5313, USA

    Dakshesh B. Patel, Eric A. White, Christopher J. Gottsegen & George R. Matcuk Jr.

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  1. Iris Bonilla-Yoon
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  2. Sulabha Masih
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Correspondence to George R. Matcuk Jr..

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Bonilla-Yoon, I., Masih, S., Patel, D.B. et al. The Morel-Lavallée lesion: pathophysiology, clinical presentation, imaging features, and treatment options. Emerg Radiol 21, 35–43 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-013-1151-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-013-1151-7

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