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Common coronary ostium mimicking an aortic abscess in a case of bacterial endocarditis
C Vuille1, P Trigo-Trindade, R Lerch
1Center and Division of Cardiology, Geneva University Hospital, Switzerland.
Insights
Aortic valve endocarditis can mimic abscesses due to rare congenital coronary anomalies. This case highlights a common coronary ostium as an echocardiographic pitfall in endocarditis diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Echocardiography
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Infective endocarditis commonly affects heart valves, leading to complications like abscess formation.
- Transesophageal echocardiography is crucial for diagnosing endocarditis and its complications.
Observation:
- A patient with aortic valve endocarditis showed severe aortic regurgitation and a periannular cavity on echocardiography, suggestive of an abscess.
- Surgical exploration revealed a common coronary ostium, not an abscess.
Findings:
- A common coronary ostium can create an abnormal periannular image on echocardiography.
- This anatomical variation can be mistaken for a periannular abscess in the context of endocarditis.
Implications:
- Awareness of rare congenital coronary anomalies is essential to avoid misinterpreting echocardiographic findings in endocarditis.
- Accurate diagnosis is critical for appropriate management of aortic valve endocarditis and associated complications.
Abstract:
A patient with aortic valve endocarditis presented with severe aortic regurgitation, large vegetation, and a periannular cavity at transesophageal echocardiography consistent with an abscess. At surgery a common coronary ostium was found, which was responsible for the abnormal periannular image. Such congenital abnormality, although unusual, is an echocardiographic pitfall in the case of endocarditis.