Ultrasonic features of mitral annulus calcification. A report of 21 cases

Twenty-one cases of echocardiographically visible mitral annulus calcification have been reviewed. Seventeen of these were also visible on chest radiographs, the remainder were proved by fluoroscopy. Factors which may lead to diagnostic confusion are: (a) failure to identify the posterior mitral leaflet (7/21); (b) diminished anterior leaflet mobility (mean 15 mm); (c) accoustic shadowing of the left ventricular wall (18/21); (d) pseudosystolic anterior motion. Fifteen of the 21 patients had aortic stenosis.