Key result
Routine preoperative chest X-ray and noncontrast CT scan identified massive left atrial wall calcification (porcelain atrium) in a 71-year-old woman with mitral stenosis and atrial fibrillation.
Case Report (n=1)
No
This case highlights the rare finding of massive left atrial wall calcification (porcelain atrium) identified incidentally on routine preoperative imaging.
Incidental porcelain atrium detection on preoperative imaging warrants clinician awareness in mitral stenosis; leaves open prevalence and surgical implications.
Massive left atrial wall calcification, or porcelain atrium, is very rare. We describe a case of an unusual pattern of cardiac calcification demonstrated on routine preoperative chest X-ray for cataract surgery in a 71-year-old Nigerian woman. Past medical history was significant for mitral stenosis and atrial fibrillation. Radiographic imaging revealed curvilinear high density areas of calcification outlining the left atrium on the chest X-ray. Noncontrast CT scan of the thorax confirmed the left atrial distribution of calcification and, thus, the diagnosis of porcelain left atrium.
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Leacock et al. (2011) conducted a case report in Porcelain atrium (massive left atrial wall calcification) (n=1). Routine preoperative chest X-ray and noncontrast CT scan identified massive left atrial wall calcification (porcelain atrium) in a 71-year-old woman with mitral stenosis and atrial fibrillation.
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