Pseudocyst of Morel–Lavalle´e : Post Liposuction

Case Report: Patient is a post liposuction status with post procedural changes and signal alteration in the subcutaneous fat. There is an oblong lobulated lesion in left anterolateral gluteal region/thigh measuring 9.9 x 6.2cm in the axial section and 16cm in superoinferior direction with fluid fluid level and fat contents showing signal suppression on fat sat images.  Few septae are noted within the lesion. These findings are consistent with pseudocyst of Morel-Lavallee.  (post liposuction  soft tissue injury can lead to the formation of a pseudocyst in the subcutaneous adipose tissue due to a haematoma, seroma, or fat necrosis.)

Pathogenesis: In response to excessive pressure, the fat compartments burst open, with rupture of the septa and shearing of the anchorage of the skin and the superficial fascia. Subsequently, a cavity arises where blood migrates with fat and lymph capillaries continuously draining, resulting in stasis and even  encapsulation by fibrous tissue (granulation or connective tissue), followed by the formation of a pseudocyst, pseudolipoma, hematoma and/or seroma.  

History : The French physician Morel–Lavalle´e first described these cysts in 1853. He observed the phenomenon in a woman’s lower limb after tangential trauma with separation of the fatty layers.