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Morel-Lavallée lesion

Case contributed by Mohammad A. ElBeialy
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Trauma to the left hip with persistent subcutaneous swelling for three months

Patient Data

Age: 60 years
Gender: Male
mri

A left upper anterolateral thigh thick-walled lentiform cystic lesion is seen overlying the greater tuberosity of the femur, it demonstrates low T1 and bright T2/STIR signal intensity. The lesion is seen located deeply subcutaneous and splitting the superficial and deep layer of the deep fascia.  

The lesion shows small septations within, and shows a thick hypointense pseudocapsule enclosing it. Normal both hip joints. No joint effusion. No marrow signal abnormality. Intact periarticular hip musculature with no soft tissue mass lesion.

Case Discussion

Morel-Lavallée​ lesion of the left upper anterolateral thigh overlying the greater tuberosity of the femur secondary to closed degloving or shearing injury with splitting of the deep fascia between the tensor fascia lata and subcutaneous fat.

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