The mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a relatively common degenerative condition of the mitral valve affecting the elderly with an estimated prevalence of 8.5% in general population [1]. Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus (CCMA) is a rare variant of MAC, with a prevalence of 0.067% in general population, and 0.6% of patients with MAC [2] [3]. CCMA generally affects elderly women and it is more frequent in patients with hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and dyslipidemia [4] [5] [6] [7]. CCMA is usually an asymptomatic condition, associated with mild to moderate mitral regurgitation. However, it can cause severe mitral valve dysfunction and it could be necessary a surgical treatment. TTE, which is the initial imaging test, shows a typical intra-cardiac mass with a central echo-lucent area, calcified edges, without acoustic shadowing [8]. Sometimes, it can be necessary a multi-modality imaging approach, with computed tomography (CT) scan or cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) in order to make a differential diagnosis among other intra-cardiac masses [9].

We report a case of CCMA in an 88 years old woman, admitted to our department for acute decompensation of chronic heart failure.

An 88-year-old woman was admitted to our department for acute decompensation of chronic heart failure. Her medical history included a chronic renal disease, arterial hypertention and a chronic coronary artery disease (previous percutaneous coronary interventions in 2002 and coronary artery bypass grafting in 2004). Physical examination revealed fine bilateral basal crackles, a pan-systolic murmur of grade 3/6 in the mitral area, a mild pitting edema of the ankles. Laboratory tests were normal apart from creatinine 3 mg/dl (n.v. < 1.2 mg/dl) and RCP 13 mg/dl (n.v. < 5 mg/dl). A trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed a large an echodense mass (43 × 19 mm) involving the posterior mitral annulus, with a central echo-lucent area, without acoustic shadowing (Figure 1). Doppler color flow mapping revealed a moderate mitral regurgitation, without obstruction to the diastolic trans-mitral flow. Other echocardiographic findings were left ventricle with normal size and normal wall motion, dilated left atrium (antero-posterior diameters of 46 mm), normal right atrium and right ventricles.

A tridimensional trans-esophageal echocardiography (3D TEE) was performed to evaluate the mass better, after obtaining from patient a written informed consent to perform the examination and to use her clinical information for scientific purposes. 3D TEE confirmed the previous findings and it allowed a better characterization of the mass: it involved the whole posterior annulus, causing a reduced motion of the posterior mitral leaflet (PML), whereas the anterior mitral leaflet (AML) was normal in motion and morphology (Figure 2 and Figure 3).

A presumptive diagnosis of CCMA was made based on the echocardiographic findings. We did not perform other diagnostic procedures, like CT scan or cardiac MR, because the patient had severe renal failure, and a contrast agent could have further damage renal function. We discharged the patient with indication of regular clinical and echocardiographic follow-up.

CCMA is a chronic degenerative process of the mitral valve, usually located in the posterior fibrous annulus which represents a variant of the more frequent mitral annular calcification [1]. It is a mass formed by a “toothpaste-like” core, composed of fatty acid, cholesterol and calcium, surrounded by a calcified envelope. It’s a rare condition, with a prevalence of 0.067% in general population, and 0.6% of patients with MAC [2] [3]. The precise etiopathogenesis of CCMA is unknown; however it can be associated with an altered calcium phosphate metabolism and atherosclerosis. In fact, it is more frequent in patients with multiple cardiovascular risks, with hypertension, chronic kidney disease, dyslipidemia [4] [5] [6] [7].

Usually CCMA is discovered occasionally during a routine TTE. It appears as an intra-cardiac mass with a central echo-lucent area, calcified edges, without acoustic shadowing [9]. Often it is located in the posterior mitral annulus and it is associated with middle to moderate mitral regurgitation. Rarely it can cause mitral stenosis, embolization or conduction abnormalities. TEE can give more detailed information regarding echogenic characterization, Doppler signal, especially in patients with pour acoustic windows at the TTE. Sometimes it can be necessary a multi-modality imaging approach [8] to make a differential diagnosis among other intra-cardiac masses. CT and cardiac MR are important tools for a better characterization of the lesion [10], being the latter superior with the best tissue characterization [11].

Common differential diagnoses include benign and malignant primary cardiac tumors, secondary cardiac tumors, myocardial abscess and vegetations, thrombus.

The prognosis is usually benign and the treatment conservative. The surgical treatment is reserved to complicated cases, as severe mitral valve dysfunction or when the diagnosis remains uncertain [12] [13]. Embolic phenomena could occur and could request anticoagulation treatment [14]. Conduction abnormalities are uncommon, and PM implantation could be necessary [15].

In our case the TTE findings were pathognomonic of CCMA and 3D TEE allowed a better characterization of the mass. We decided not to go forward with other imaging techniques, due to the severe kidney disease of the patients, and we opted for a close follow-up.

CCMA is a rare chronic degenerative condition of the mitral valve. It is usually asymptomatic and it is discovered occasionally during routine TTE. However differential diagnosis with other intra-cardiac masses can be difficult. A 3D TEE is useful to well characterized CCMA, avoiding other complex diagnostic tests.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Fede, G., Abate, G., Belluardo, P., Di Tommasi, C., Guarrella, M.L., Guccione, N., Piccione, G., Solarino, S., Sulsenti, G., Tasca, G. and Ficili, S. (2020) Case Report: Caseous Calcification of the Mitral Annulus in an 88-Year-Old Woman. Open Journal of Internal Medicine, 10, 337-341. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojim.2020.104035

MAC: Mitral annular calcification, CCMA: Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus, TTE: Trans-thoracic echocardiography, NV: Normal values, 3D TTE: Tridimensional transoesophageal echocardiography, PML: Posterior mitral leaflet, AML: Anterior mitral leaflet, CT: Computed tomography, MR: Magnetic resonance.