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Case Reports
. 2023 May 16:46:100842.
doi: 10.1016/j.tcr.2023.100842. eCollection 2023 Aug.

Recurrence of symptoms may indicate the presence of a Morel-Lavallée lesion of the knee: A case report and literature review

John J Heifner  1 , Tyler M Small  2 , Yitzak M Fox  3 , Robert Ogg  3 , Arturo Corces  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Recurrence of symptoms may indicate the presence of a Morel-Lavallée lesion of the knee: A case report and literature review

John J Heifner et al. Trauma Case Rep. .

Abstract

Case: An 81 year old male with four failed aspirations presented with recurrent knee swelling following irrigation and debridement, which suggested the presence of a Morel-Lavallée lesion (MLL). This diagnosis was intraoperatively confirmed by separation of the tissue layers forming a space with accumulated fluid. Treatment consisted of doxycycline sclerodesis and tight closure of the tissue layers. The patient had a satisfactory outcome at 4 months.

Conclusion: Resolution of Morel-Lavallée lesions requires prompt recognition and appropriate treatment. In the presence of a different diagnosis, recurrence of symptoms following treatment may indicate an MLL. Surgical treatment with doxycycline sclerodesis resulted in resolution of symptoms.

Keywords: Doxycycline; Hematoma; Impact injury; Morel-Lavallée lesion; Sclerodesis; Sclerotherapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest related to the current work.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Autoclave preparation of doxycycline solution for sclerodesis treatment (a) and introduction of the solution into the pathologic space following evacuation of fluid accumulation (b).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The solution remained in the wound for 60 min, with position change of the leg every 10 min to maximize solution coverage (a & b).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Tight closure of the pathologic space and wound with no recurrence of swelling at 2 weeks follow up (a & b).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Clinical follow up at 4 months postoperatively demonstrating appropriate healing and resolution of symptoms (a & b).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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