title: Echogenic structures in the left atrioventricular groove: diagnostic pitfalls.
abstract: A variety of echogenic structures that can be detected by echocardiography in the left atrioventricular groove are best seen in the parasternal long-axis view and can be missed if not carefully looked for. Normal anatomic structures or variants can be seen, for example, dilated coronary sinus, persistent left superior vena cava, or lipomatous tissue. Degenerative or inflammatory processes of the mitral annulus (calcification of the mitral annulus, mitral annular abscess) and aneurysms of the left circumflex coronary artery or of the descending aorta can depict pathologic structures. Hiatal hernia and tumors can be found as well.
authors.affiliation: Division of Echocardiography, University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zuber
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oechslin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jenni
mesh_terms: D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003323:Coronary Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006551:Hernia, Hiatal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography