Calf Haematoma

Clinical History

A 62-year old lady presented with left sided calf tenderness (Calf Haematoma) and swelling. Her recent D-Dimer test value was elevated, raising the suspicion of DVT. The patient was referred to have a venous Doppler ultrasound of her affected lower limb to rule out DVT.

Case Description

Ultrasound revealed no DVT.

However, there was a 20 cm heterogeneous non-vascular complex area of fluid collection in the medial aspect of the left popliteal fossa, extending to the mid-lower leg region. The distal compartment of the collection contained hypoechoic contents. Appearances were in keeping with a Morel-Lavallee type of injury with a collection of blood products of varying chronology in the region demonstrated. This was seen to cause a slight displacement of the medial gastrocnemius muscle fibres.

Diagnosis/ Discussion/ Treatment/ Follow up

Morel-Lavellee also called ‘degloving’ injury, is a rare injury that occurs from the separation or tear of the skin and subcutaneous tissues away from the rest of the underlying muscle fibres. In this case, it led to an accumulation of blood products and some fluid collection within the affected region.

Sonograms