Multi Modality Imaging for Cardiac Masses Can Avoid Unnecessary Surgical Intervention: A Case Report of Caseous Calcification of Mitral Annulus

Abstract

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 sus pected by transthoracic Echocardiography. The use of multi-modality imaging strategy with transesophageal Echocar diography and cardiac MR scanning revealed however the diagnosis of CCMA and spared the patient an unnecessary operation.