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Published on: October 16, 2021
Periannular Mitral Valve Prosthesis Crypts Mimicking Periprosthetic Abscesses
Kinsing Ko1, Saloua El Messaoudi2, Frederik van den Heuvel2
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Abstract:
Mitral annular abscesses are rare and can be caused by infective endocarditis. We present the case of a patient with an infected mitral prosthesis, with multiple suspected periprosthetic abscesses. However, perioperative inspection showed a supra-annular implanted prosthesis.
Insights
Mitral annular abscesses are rare complications of infective endocarditis. This case highlights a supra-annular prosthesis mimicking periprosthetic abscesses, crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Mitral annular abscesses are uncommon but serious complications, often linked to infective endocarditis.
- Periprosthetic abscesses around mitral valve prostheses pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
Observation:
- A patient presented with clinical and imaging findings suggestive of multiple periprosthetic abscesses complicating an infected mitral prosthesis.
- Intraoperative inspection revealed a supra-annularly implanted prosthesis, not a traditional trans-annular dehiscence.
Findings:
- The imaging findings were misleading, mimicking typical periprosthetic abscesses.
- The supra-annular placement of the prosthesis altered the expected anatomical presentation of complications.
Implications:
- Accurate differentiation between true periprosthetic abscesses and anatomical variants is critical for guiding surgical intervention.
- This case underscores the importance of detailed perioperative assessment in managing complex cardiac device infections.

