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Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis mimicking a hydatid cyst

Jeroen Walpot1, Bharati Shivalkar, W Hans Pasteuning

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Ziekenhuis Walcheren (Admiraal De Ruyter Ziekenhuis), Koudekerkseweg 88, Vlissingen, The Netherlands. J.walpot@adrz.nl

Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.)
|September 21, 2010
PubMed

Insights

We describe a rare case of Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis mimicking a hydatid cyst on echocardiography. The autopsy revealed a vegetation, not a cyst, highlighting atypical presentations of infective endocarditis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious infection of the heart valves.
  • Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of IE.
  • Atypical presentations can complicate diagnosis.

Observation:

  • An octogenarian female presented with echocardiographic findings suggestive of a cystic mass on the anterior mitral valve leaflet.
  • The mass was initially misidentified as a hydatid cyst due to its appearance.
  • The patient had significant comorbidities, precluding urgent surgery.

Findings:

  • Autopsy revealed a large vegetation consistent with Staphylococcus aureus IE, not a cystic mass.
  • No evidence of a membranous structure or septic embolism was found.
  • The echocardiographic findings were atypical for infective endocarditis.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of considering atypical presentations of IE.
  • It underscores the potential for misinterpretation of echocardiographic findings.
  • Awareness of such presentations can aid in timely diagnosis and management of infective endocarditis.

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