Caseous Calcification of the Mitral Annulus: Unusual Case of Spontaneous Resolution

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a common echocardiographic finding. Caseous calcification is a rare variant appearing as a round, tumor‐like mass with central echolucent area located in the periannular region. Although occasionally misdiagnosed as a tumor and submitted to exploratory cardiotomy, this lesion appears to carry a benign prognosis. The true significance of caseous calcification is unknown; it might be an early and reversible stage of MAC or an atheroma‐like lesion. We describe a case of caseous calcification with spontaneous resolution in a 60‐year‐old woman—such a finding should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intracardiac masses.

[1]  G. Nicolosi,et al.  Association between mitral annular calcium and carotid artery stenosis and role of age and gender. , 2001, The American journal of cardiology.

[2]  M. Motro,et al.  Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus: a neglected, unrecognized diagnosis. , 2001, Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : official publication of the American Society of Echocardiography.

[3]  Y. Adler,et al.  Mitral annulus calcification--a window to diffuse atherosclerosis of the vascular system. , 2001, Atherosclerosis.

[4]  H. Koito,et al.  Reduced size of liquefaction necrosis of mitral annular calcification in chronic renal failure by using low calcium concentration hemodialysis. , 1999, Japanese circulation journal.

[5]  R. Grodman,et al.  Sterile, caseous mitral valve "abscess" mimicking infective endocarditis. , 1997, Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

[6]  C. Pollock,et al.  Calcific atrial mass in end-stage renal failure. , 1997, Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association.

[7]  A. Jirásek,et al.  Tumor‐Like Mitral Annular Calcification with Central Liquefaction , 1993 .

[8]  E. Voth,et al.  Asymptomatic myocardial abscess. , 1988, The Thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon.

[9]  S. P. Nolan,et al.  Atrial extension of mitral annular calcification mimicking intracardiac tumor , 1987, Clinical cardiology.

[10]  J. Ross,et al.  Mitral annular calcification: clinical, pathophysiology, and echocardiographic review. , 1984, American heart journal.

[11]  I. Kronzon,et al.  Sterile, caseous mitral anular abscess. , 1983, Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

[12]  W. Aronow,et al.  Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of patients with mitral anular calcification: Comparison with age- and sex-matched control subjects , 1983 .

[13]  F. Khaja,et al.  Functional Mitral Stenosis in Patients with Massive Mitral Annular Calcification , 1981, Circulation.

[14]  A. Pomerance Pathological and clinical study of calcification of the mitral valve ring , 1970, Journal of clinical pathology.

[15]  A. Walker,et al.  The vascular system. , 1952, Progress in neurology and psychiatry.