title: Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis mimicking a hydatid cyst.
abstract: We report an atypical echocardiographic presentation of Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis (IE) of the mitral valve in an octogenarian female. Echocardiography revealed perforation of the anterior mitral valve leaflet (AMVL), with a large cystic mass seemingly attached to the AMVL and surrounded by a thin membranous structure. These images were strongly reminiscent of a hydatid cyst. The significant comorbidity of the patient did not justify an urgent surgical approach, and the patient subsequently expired of cardiogenic and septic shock. Autopsy revealed a large vegetation attached to the interatrial septum in the immediate proximity of the AMVL, without signs of the membranous structure and without pathological evidence for septic embolism. This atypical presentation of IE prompted us to discuss a brief review of intracardiac cystic masses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Ziekenhuis Walcheren (Admiraal De Ruyter Ziekenhuis), Koudekerkseweg 88, Vlissingen, The Netherlands. J.walpot@adrz.nl
authors.forename: Jeroen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Walpot
authors.forename: Bharati
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shivalkar
authors.forename: W Hans
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Pasteuning
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hokken
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004452:Echocardiography; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*