Traumatic Dissection of Subcutaneous Fatty Tissue: Ultrasonographic Findings and Treatment

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the imaging findings of a traumatic dissection of subcutaneous fatty tissue and the treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen lesions from 13 patients treated by sonography were investigated in our study. The lesions were treated by aspiration only, aspiration followed by steroid injection, and by surgical procedure. Based on the treatment, five factors such as location, size and extent of the lesions, nature of the contents, and treatment effectiveness were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 6 lesions in the thigh, 4 in the leg, 3 in the knee, and 1 each in proximal forearm and flank. All lesions were found in subcutaneous fatty tissue with an average size of 8.9 cm. The nature of the contents was serous (n = 2), hemorrhaging (n = 9), and an abscess (n = 1). Without treatment, three lesions disappeared. Five of the 7 lesions vanished after being treated by aspiration. Only one out of three lesions disappeared when they were treated by steroid injection after aspiration. The three hemorrhaging lesions disappeared after operation, but one serous lesion remained. CONCLUSION: Dissection of subcutaneous fatty tissue represents a cystic mass with serous fluid or hemorrhage. The effectiveness of lesion treatment may relate to the location, size, and content of the lesion.