Peripelvic Morel-Lavallée lesion following high-energy spine trauma: Case report and review of treatment options

Abstract

The Morel-Lavallée lesion (MLL) is an internal degloving injury typically associated with high-energy trauma and is suspected to be underdiagnosed in a majority of cases. Here, we illustrate the typical clinical and radiological characteristics of an extensive peripelvic MLL in a 50-year-old patient presenting to our trauma outpatient clinic with peripelvic pain, bruising and swelling six weeks after severe spine trauma caused by a high-energy car accident. Using this case study as an example, current therapeutic approaches are discussed. Therapeutic decisions should be based on clinical symptoms, lesion size, severity, age and co-morbidities. Extensive, symptomatic and chronic lesions should be addressed with early débridement, irrigation and drainage in order to prevent complications like infection or soft tissue necrosis.

Keywords

• Morell-Lavallée
• Polytrauma
• Spine injury
• Internal degloving