Morel-Lavallee Syndrome: A Rare Tumefactive Lesion

Abstract

First described by the French surgeon Maurice Morel-Lavallee in 1853, Morel-Lavallee syndrome (MLS) is a serolymphatic effusion resulting from tangential injury to richly vascularized tissues. The imaging characteristics may be variable over time due to lesion progression and the eventual organization of a fibrous capsule. We report a case of extensive MLS in the lower leg of a 12-year-old child. We discuss the ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging findings and describe the differential diagnoses.

Learning points: The diagnosis of Morel-Lavallee syndrome is based on clinical examination and imaging techniques.The post-traumatic context is important for diagnosis.Morphological aspects depend on lesion progression and the eventual organization of a fibrous capsule.

Keywords: Morel-Lavallee; magnetic resonance imaging; ultrasound.

Figure 1

High-frequency ultrasound demonstrates an anechoic encapsulated fluid collection in the subdermal region, containing contiguous rounded formations with the same echogenicity as subcutaneous fat (arrowhead)

Figure 2

(a) Sagittal T1 and (d) axial T1 images at the level of the right lower leg demonstrate a high signal intensity elliptiform fluid collection in the superficial soft tissues (arrow), containing contiguous rounded formations, with suppressed signal on the fat-saturated T2-weighted sagittal image (b). Sagittal (c) and axial (e) T1-weighted fast spin echo (FSE) images, obtained following administration of gadolinium, demonstrate peripheral capsular enhancement (arrowhead)