title: Morel-Lavallee Lesion in the Upper Extremity.
abstract: Background:The Morel-Lavallee lesion (MLL) is a closed internal degloving injury that results from shearing of the skin and subcutaneous tissue from the underlying fascia. Disruption of the perforating blood vessels and lymphatics results in a lesion filled with serosanguinous fluid and necrotized fat. MLLs are most commonly described in association with pelvic and lower extremity trauma, and there are limited reports of these lesions in other locations.Methods:This case report describes a 58-year-old male referred from his primary care physician with a soft tissue mass in the upper arm. Careful history discovered prior trauma with extensive bruising and MRI revealed a large encapsulated mass consistent with MLL.Results:An open debridement with excision of pseudocapsule was performed. Meticulous closure over a drain was performed and the patient healed without complication or recurrence. Intra-operative cultures were negative and pathology was consistent with MLL.Conclusion:MLL should always be considered in the setting of previous trauma regardless the location. In the chronic setting an open approach with excision of pseudocapsule can have an acceptable result.
authors.affiliation: Naval Medical Center San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Grant K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Cochran
authors.affiliation: Naval Medical Center San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Kathryn H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Hanna
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods; D000069836:Degloving Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Lavallee; Morel; cyst; internal degloving; soft tissue mass