title: Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus: unusual case of spontaneous resolution.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Fatebenefratelli ed Oftalmico Hospital, Milano, Italy. silgram@fastwebnet.it
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gramenzi
authors.forename: Anna Alice
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mazzola
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tagliaferri
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Protasoni
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brusoni
authors.forename: Gaetana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: d'Aloya
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brusoni
mesh_terms: D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*