Sonographic Diagnosis and Follow-Up of a Rare Large Pre-Patellar Morel-Lavallée Lesion.
Journal
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)
Journal Volume
15
Journal Issue
7
Start Page
883
ISSN
2075-4418
Date Issued
2025-04-01
Author(s)
Abstract
Morel-Lavallée lesions (MLLs) in the knee are rare. This article presents one of the largest documented cases (13.46 × 12.73 × 3.03 cm), successfully managed non-operatively with clinical and sonographic follow-up. The patient was a 19-year-old male who sustained a bike accident, presenting with immediate gross swelling over the anterior knee, along with bruising and skin abrasions. He was unable to walk and was admitted to the orthopedic ward. A bedside handheld ultrasound examination revealed a large pre-patellar MLL, primarily filled with blood clots. Ultrasound-guided aspiration resulted in a dry tap. The diagnosis was confirmed through magnetic resonance imaging, and conservative management was implemented. At four weeks post-injury, the patient showed significant improvement. He achieved full range of knee motion seven weeks post-injury. Ultrasound imaging revealed a significantly reduced lesion size, with a sub-centimeter thickness. This case highlights the pivotal role of portable ultrasound in the acute diagnosis and follow-up of MLLs. It also demonstrates that, even with a lesion of substantial size, non-operative treatment can be highly effective. These findings provide valuable insights for developing treatment protocols for this rare condition.
Subjects
Morel Lavallee
degloving injury
hematoma
knee pain
rehabilitation
ultrasonography
SDGs
Type
journal article