Multimedia Library
A Mitral Valve Mass: Tumor, Thrombus, or Vegetation?
A 58-YEAR-OLD man developed transient monocular visual loss in the right lower quadrant of the left eye that fully resolved in less than 24 hours. He was afebrile and had no other symptoms. His known medical history included well-controlled arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia. He denied a history of cerebrovascular disease, atrial fibrillation, intravenous drug use, and thromboembolic disease. Medical evaluation included a carotid Doppler ultrasound that showed no abnormality, an unremarkable brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination, an unremarkable ophthalmologic examination, and a normal white blood cell count.Manifestation of Aortic Root Abscess From Acute Bacterial Endocarditis
A 71-YEAR-OLD man with a history of coronary artery disease, moderate aortic stenosis, and arterial hypertension was scheduled for aortic valve replacement and possible aortic root replacement. One month before admission, he was treated for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis. A transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a lesion on the mitral valve that was suspected to be a vegetation associated with mild mitral regurgitation. The patient began a course of intravenous oxacillin as an outpatient.
