Case Report

Morel-Lavallée Lesion: 2 Cases and Review of the Literature

Volume: 35 Number: 5 October 28, 2025
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Morel-Lavallée Lesion: 2 Cases and Review of the Literature

Abstract

A Morel-Lavallée lesion (MLL) is a closed soft-tissue degloving injury. Although it is mostly seen in the thigh, it can also occur in the gluteal, scapular, and lumbar regions. In trauma patients, especially with extremity injuries, focusing on fractures or other accompanying pathologies may distract the clinician from the diagnosis of MLL. Overlooking these lesions or delaying their diagnosis may lead to complications such as capsule formation, skin necrosis, or infection. We present two cases: a 17-year-old who had a motorcycle accident and a 12-year-old who had a deep laceration after a crush injury. We also present a review of MLL through these cases, drawing attention to it because it can be overlooked due to more prominent accompanying pathologies.

Keywords

Closed degloving injury, haemolymphatic collection, traumatic soft-tissue injury

References

  1. 1. Morel-Lavallée M. Decollements traumatiques de la peau et des couches sousjacentes. Arch Gen Med. 1863; 1:20–38, 172–200, 300–332.
  2. 2. Yang Y, Tang TT. The Morel-Lavallée Lesion: Review and Update on Diagnosis and Management. Orthop Surg. 2023; 15(10):2485–2491. PMID: 37526135; PMCID: PMC10549858.
  3. 3. Buyukkaya A, Güneş H, Özel MA, Buyukkaya R, Onbas Ö, Sarıtas A. Lumbar Morel-Lavallee lesion after trauma: a report of 2 cases. Am J Emerg Med. 2015; 33(8):1116.e5-6. PMID: 25935813.
  4. 4. Scolaro JA, Chao T, Zamorano DP. The Morel-Lavallée Lesion: Diagnosis and Management. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2016; 24(10):667–672. PMID: 27579812.
  5. 5. Bonilla-Yoon I, Masih S, Patel DB, White EA, Levine BD, Chow K, et al. The Morel-Lavallée lesion: pathophysiology, clinical presentation, imaging features, and treatment options. Emerg Radiol. 2014; 21(1):35–43. PMID: 23949106.
  6. 6. Spain JA, Rheinboldt M, Parrish D, Rinker E. Morel-Lavallée Injuries: A Multimodality Approach to Imaging Characteristics. Acad Radiol. 2017; 24(2):220–225. PMID: 28087046.
APA
Değirmenci, S., & Tırın, H. (2025). Morel-Lavallée Lesion: 2 Cases and Review of the Literature. Genel Tıp Dergisi, 35(5), 1032-1036. https://doi.org/10.54005/geneltip.1672550
AMA
1.Değirmenci S, Tırın H. Morel-Lavallée Lesion: 2 Cases and Review of the Literature. Genel Tıp Derg. 2025;35(5):1032-1036. doi:10.54005/geneltip.1672550
Chicago
Değirmenci, Selim, and Hakan Tırın. 2025. “Morel-Lavallée Lesion: 2 Cases and Review of the Literature”. Genel Tıp Dergisi 35 (5): 1032-36. https://doi.org/10.54005/geneltip.1672550.
EndNote
Değirmenci S, Tırın H (October 1, 2025) Morel-Lavallée Lesion: 2 Cases and Review of the Literature. Genel Tıp Dergisi 35 5 1032–1036.
IEEE
[1]S. Değirmenci and H. Tırın, “Morel-Lavallée Lesion: 2 Cases and Review of the Literature”, Genel Tıp Derg, vol. 35, no. 5, pp. 1032–1036, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.54005/geneltip.1672550.
ISNAD
Değirmenci, Selim - Tırın, Hakan. “Morel-Lavallée Lesion: 2 Cases and Review of the Literature”. Genel Tıp Dergisi 35/5 (October 1, 2025): 1032-1036. https://doi.org/10.54005/geneltip.1672550.
JAMA
1.Değirmenci S, Tırın H. Morel-Lavallée Lesion: 2 Cases and Review of the Literature. Genel Tıp Derg. 2025;35:1032–1036.
MLA
Değirmenci, Selim, and Hakan Tırın. “Morel-Lavallée Lesion: 2 Cases and Review of the Literature”. Genel Tıp Dergisi, vol. 35, no. 5, Oct. 2025, pp. 1032-6, doi:10.54005/geneltip.1672550.
Vancouver
1.Selim Değirmenci, Hakan Tırın. Morel-Lavallée Lesion: 2 Cases and Review of the Literature. Genel Tıp Derg. 2025 Oct. 1;35(5):1032-6. doi:10.54005/geneltip.1672550