title: Papillary fibroelastoma of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve mimicking vegetation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) is a rare and benign primary cardiac tumor, and the mostly frequently found tumor occurring in cardiac valves.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe a 52 year old female presenting a history of 2 weeks of fever due to wound infection after breast's surgery. A preoperative echocardiography demonstrated a mass >1cm(2) originating from the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve mimicking vegetation. The patient underwent successful surgical removal of the PFE. The histologic evaluation demonstrated a PFE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With the introduction of echocardiography, the diagnosis of these tumors in living patients has been reported sporadically. PFE have been found most often on valve leaflets, chordae tendineae, and both ventricles. The differential diagnosis of PFE includes other cardiac tumors, thrombus, vegetation, and Lambl's excrescences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To summarize, we report a PFE of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination after surgical removal. Finally, careful echocardiographic analyses during evaluation of valvular masses are strongly recommended for differential diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Center of Tirana, Albania. Electronic address: priftiedvin@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Edvin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Prifti
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Center of Tirana, Albania.
authors.forename: Majlinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ikonomi
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Center of Tirana, Albania.
authors.forename: Altin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Veshti
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Center of Tirana, Albania.
authors.forename: Aurel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Demiraj
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Center of Tirana, Albania.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Xhaxho
keywords: Mitral valve; Papillary fibroelastoma; Transesophageal echocardiography