Morel-Lavallée lesion
Pronunciation: mor-EL lah-vah-LAY
A closed degloving injury where skin and subcutaneous tissue separate from underlying fascia, creating a potential space filled with hematoma and necrotic tissue.
Full Definition
A Morel-Lavallée lesion is a post-traumatic soft tissue injury characterized by separation between the hypodermis and underlying muscle fascia, typically occurring over bony prominences. The shearing forces create a potential space that fills with blood, lymphatic fluid, and necrotic fat, forming a fluctuant mass. These lesions are commonly seen following high-energy trauma such as motor vehicle accidents or crush injuries, particularly around the greater trochanter, pelvis, and knee. If left untreated, they can become chronic and predispose to infection or skin necrosis.
Usage
Usage note: Always hyphenate and maintain proper French capitalization. Often misspelled with incorrect accent marks.
In Context
- "The radiologist identified a Morel-Lavallée lesion on MRI, appearing as a fluid collection between the subcutaneous tissue and fascia lata." — Radiology report
- "Following the motorcycle accident, the patient developed a chronic Morel-Lavallée lesion over the greater trochanter that required surgical debridement." — Case presentation