Imaging Features of Morel-Lavallée Lesions

To review the imaging characteristics of Morel-Lavallée lesions with both ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

We retrospectively analyzed 31 patients (mean age = 46 years), diagnosed with a Morel-Lavallée lesion, on ultrasound (n = 15) or MRI (n = 16). On ultrasound the echogenicity, internal septations, hyperechoic fat globules, compressibility and Doppler signal were evaluated. On MRI, T1- and T2-signal intensity, capsule presence, internal septations, enhancement, mass-effect and fluid-fluid levels were assessed. The MR images were classified according to the classification of Mellado and Bencardino.

Most of the lesions were situated peritrochanteric, around the knee or the lower leg. The majority of the lesions had a heterogeneous hypoechoic appearance with septations and intralesional fat globules. On MRI, most of the collections were hypointense on T1-weighted images and hyperintense on T2-weighted images. Half of the collections were encapsulated, and most collections demonstrated septations. The collections were classified as seroma (n = 10), subacute hematoma (n = 2) and chronic organizing hematoma (n = 5).

Ultrasound is the imaging method of choice to diagnose Morel-Lavallée lesions. MRI can be of use in selected cases (extension in different compartments, large collections, superinfection). Characteristic imaging features include a fusiform fluid collection between the subcutaneous fat and the underlying fascia with internal septations and fat globules. On MRI, six types of ML lesion can be differentiated, with the seroma, the subacute hematoma, and the chronic organizing hematoma being the most frequently observed lesions.