Pseudotumor of the mitral annulus

    Authors

    Keywords

    echocardiography, mitral valve, calcification, psudotumor

    DOI

    https://doi.org/10.15836/ccar.2015.75

    Full Text

    We present the case of a 61-year old female patient who was clinically asymptomatic and in good general condition. The patient was referred for echocardiography during the course of the diagnostic evaluation of her moderate arterial hypertension. During the echocardiographycal examination, a large mass arising from the posterior part of the mitral annulus was found with echo-dense smooth borders suggestive of calcification (Figure 1, Figure 2). After the first examination, the patient remained for years in follow-up in our echocardiographic laboratory. We observed different changes in the aforementioned mass in yearly echocardiographic examinations. The changes included echo „dilution“ of the center of the mass followed by the formation of a communicating duct between the center of the mass and the left atrium. Also irregular protuberations were formed at the sides facing the left atrium and the left ventricle. Considering the potential for a systemic thromboembolic event arising from the protuberances of the mass, additional 3D tranoesophageal analysis was performed which is described in this case-report. It appears that the mass is most probably a fibrocalcification of the mitral annulus with a central amorphous content that eventually drained into the left atrium of left ventricle, but without apparent thromboembolism. The patient has been treated conservatively because there was no impairment of the mitral valve function. Due to a high risk of thromboembolism, she was started on anticoagulation therapy with warfarin. Although the mass was not excised and we do not have a histological analysis, judging by the echocardiographic appearance, clinical presentation and data from literature, the findings primarily indicate degenerative disease of the mitral annulus with possible calcification. This condition has a benign prognosis, but can mimic cardiac tumor, vegetation or calcified thrombus. (1, 2) Figure 1. 3D view of the calcification of the mitral annulus. Figure 2. 2D view of the calcification of the mitral annulus.

    Literature

    1. Fiore A, Grandmougin D, Maureira JP, Elfarra M, Folliguet T, Villemot JP. Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus: a neglected lesion mimicking intracardiac mass. Heart Lung Vessel. 2014;6(2):128–9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25024996/
    2. Fujiwara M, Watanabe H, Iino T, Kobukai Y, Ishibashi K, Yamamoto H, et al. Two cases of calcified amorphous tumor mimicking mitral valve vegetation. Circulation. 2012;125(10):e432–4. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.111.072793
    Cardiologia Croatica
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    Pseudotumor of the mitral annulus

    Abstract
    Issue3-4
    Published
    Pages75
    PDF via DOIhttps://doi.org/10.15836/ccar.2015.75
    echocardiography
    mitral valve
    calcification
    psudotumor

    Authors

    Karlo Golubic*ORCIDUniversity of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
    Vlatka Reskovic LuksicORCIDUniversity of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
    Irena Ivanac VranesicORCIDUniversity of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
    Vojtjeh BridaORCIDUniversity of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

    *Correspondence email: karlo.golubic@gmail.com

    Full Text

    We present the case of a 61-year old female patient who was clinically asymptomatic and in good general condition. The patient was referred for echocardiography during the course of the diagnostic evaluation of her moderate arterial hypertension. During the echocardiographycal examination, a large mass arising from the posterior part of the mitral annulus was found with echo-dense smooth borders suggestive of calcification (Figure 1, Figure 2). After the first examination, the patient remained for years in follow-up in our echocardiographic laboratory. We observed different changes in the aforementioned mass in yearly echocardiographic examinations. The changes included echo „dilution“ of the center of the mass followed by the formation of a communicating duct between the center of the mass and the left atrium. Also irregular protuberations were formed at the sides facing the left atrium and the left ventricle. Considering the potential for a systemic thromboembolic event arising from the protuberances of the mass, additional 3D tranoesophageal analysis was performed which is described in this case-report. It appears that the mass is most probably a fibrocalcification of the mitral annulus with a central amorphous content that eventually drained into the left atrium of left ventricle, but without apparent thromboembolism. The patient has been treated conservatively because there was no impairment of the mitral valve function. Due to a high risk of thromboembolism, she was started on anticoagulation therapy with warfarin. Although the mass was not excised and we do not have a histological analysis, judging by the echocardiographic appearance, clinical presentation and data from literature, the findings primarily indicate degenerative disease of the mitral annulus with possible calcification. This condition has a benign prognosis, but can mimic cardiac tumor, vegetation or calcified thrombus. (1, 2)

    Figure 1. 3D view of the calcification of the mitral annulus.

    Figure 2. 2D view of the calcification of the mitral annulus.

    Literature

    1. 1.
      Fiore A, Grandmougin D, Maureira JP, Elfarra M, Folliguet T, Villemot JP. Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus: a neglected lesion mimicking intracardiac mass. Heart Lung Vessel. 2014;6(2):128–9.PubMed
    2. 2.
      Fujiwara M, Watanabe H, Iino T, Kobukai Y, Ishibashi K, Yamamoto H, et al. Two cases of calcified amorphous tumor mimicking mitral valve vegetation. Circulation. 2012;125(10):e432–4.DOI