Key result
The use of multi-modality imaging with transesophageal echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance scanning correctly identified a suspected cardiac tumor as caseous calcification of the mitral annulus, avoiding unnecessary surgery.
Case Report (n=1)
No
Multi-modality imaging, particularly cardiac MRI, is essential for differentiating benign caseous calcification of the mitral annulus from cardiac tumors, thereby preventing unnecessary surgical interventions.
May support avoiding surgery via multi-modality imaging in select cases; hypothesis-generating and requires validation before broader adoption.
Mitral Annular Calcification (MAC) is a degenerative process involving the fibrous ring of the mitral valve. Caseous Calcification of Mitral Annulus (CCMA) is a rare variant of MAC. This condition is benign and usually needs no treatment. This is a case report of a 67-year-old woman with non-specific symptoms in whom a cardiac tumor was suspected by transthoracic Echocardiography. The use of multi-modality imaging strategy with transesophageal Echocardiography and cardiac MR scanning revealed however the diagnosis of CCMA and spared the patient an unnecessary operation.
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Alzuhairi et al. (2013) conducted a case report in Caseous Calcification of Mitral Annulus (n=1). Multi-modality imaging (TTE, TEE, CMR) was evaluated on Accurate diagnosis of cardiac mass. The use of multi-modality imaging with transesophageal echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance scanning correctly identified a suspected cardiac tumor as caseous calcification of the mitral annulus, avoiding unnecessary surgery.
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