title: Caseous calcification of the mitral valve ring.
abstract: Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is found in 10% of patients older than 50 years of age, and represents deposition of calcium between the basal infero-lateral ventricular wall and the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve. Caseous calcification, formed from a mixture of calcium, cholesterol and fatty acids, is an uncommon variant found on echocardiography in 0.6% of patients with MAC. The characteristic echographic appearance is of a large echo-dense structure with echo-lucent center and smooth borders. Caseous MAC carries a benign prognosis despite its impressive appearance and should not be misdiagnosed as a more serious condition such as myocardial abscess or tumor.
authors.affiliation: Vrije University Medical Center, Department of Cardiology 6D 120, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. cobmarcu@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Constantin B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Marcu
authors.forename: Andre E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Ghantous
authors.forename: Edward K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Prokop
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography