RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Morel-Lavallée lesion of the anterior leg: a rare anatomical presentation
JF BMJ Case Reports
JO BMJ Case Reports
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP e233295
DO 10.1136/bcr-2019-233295
VO 13
IS 2
A1 Karthik Ramaseshan
A1 Laura D Bauler
A1 Joshua Mastenbrook
YR 2020
UL http://casereports.bmj.com/content/13/2/e233295.abstract
AB A Morel-Lavallée lesion (MLL) is a rare injury caused by blunt force trauma causing separation of subcutaneous tissue from the deep fascia. It is frequently seen in orthopaedic cases involving fractures of the hip or pelvis but is rare in the lower leg. The rarity of this condition often leads to misdiagnosis. A 66-year-old man presented to the emergency department after a 300-pound safe sheered across his left anterolateral leg causing skin avulsion, tenderness, swelling, ecchymosis, and erythema. The patient was treated for suspected cellulitis with oral antibiotics, but the lesion evolved into a necrotic eschar necessitating surgical intervention. In hindsight, MLL is a more appropriate diagnosis based on injury mechanism, disease progression and intraoperative findings. A history of shearing trauma with diffuse ecchymosis and erythema should prompt consideration of MLL. Due to rampant misdiagnosis, this case aims to increase awareness, as early diagnosis of MLL will improve patient outcomes.