Diagnosis and Management of Closed Internal Degloving Injuries: The Morel-Lavallée Lesion

BackgroundMorel-Lavallée (ML) lesions are closed degloving injuries described as posttraumatic subcutaneous fluid collections. They are most commonly seen in the proximal thigh. They can present several days to months after the inciting event.Case ReportA 55-year-old woman with a recent admission for trauma presented to the Emergency Department with increasing swelling and pain in the right thigh for the previous 3 days. Ultrasound of the thigh was negative. Magnetic resonance imaging performed to further evaluate for leg swelling revealed a “Morel-Lavallée lesion” of the thigh that required drainage. The patient recovered completely after the surgery.Why Should the Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?Emergency physicians should be aware of these rare lesions because they are often mistaken for tumors or hematomas. Early recognition may avoid subsequent complications and help in obtaining prompt specialist care.