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Cardiology150 papers

Masses on mitral apparatus

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Masses on the mitral apparatus typically refer to abnormalities affecting the mitral valve structure, including infective endocarditis, rheumatic heart disease, degenerative valve disease, and congenital anomalies, leading to valvular thickening, vegetations, or dysfunction.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Evaluation: Symptoms such as dyspnea, angina, and embolic events 15.
  • Echocardiography: Essential for initial assessment, providing detailed images of valve structure and function 15.
  • Cardiac MRI/CT: Useful for further characterization, especially in complex cases 13.
  • Blood Cultures: Important in suspected infective etiologies to identify pathogens 15.
  • Histopathological Examination: Biopsy or surgical specimens for definitive diagnosis in some cases 14.
  • Management

  • Medical Management:
  • - Antibiotics: For infective etiologies, tailored to culture and sensitivity results 15. - Antithrombotics: To prevent embolic events, particularly in cases with vegetations 15.
  • Surgical Intervention:
  • - Valve Repair/Replacement: Indicated for severe dysfunction or refractory symptoms 15. - Percutaneous Procedures: Emerging techniques for certain lesions, though less common for mitral apparatus compared to other valves 2.

    Special Populations

  • Pediatrics: Congenital anomalies are more prevalent; detailed imaging and multidisciplinary approach crucial 13.
  • Elderly: Increased risk of comorbidities; careful risk stratification for surgical interventions 15.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Echocardiography as Initial Diagnostic Tool: Essential for evaluating mitral apparatus masses due to its non-invasive nature and detailed imaging capabilities (Evidence: Strong 15).
  • Surgical Intervention for Severe Dysfunction: Recommended for patients with severe mitral valve dysfunction unresponsive to medical therapy (Evidence: Moderate 15).
  • Culturing Blood in Suspected Infective Endocarditis: Critical for guiding targeted antibiotic therapy (Evidence: Strong 15).
  • Multidisciplinary Approach for Pediatric Patients: Necessary due to unique congenital causes and management needs (Evidence: Expert opinion 13).
  • References

    1 Hack S, Alsleibi S, Saleh N, Alon EE, Rabinovics N, Remer E. Are chatbots a reliable source for patient frequently asked questions on neck masses?. European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery 2025. link 2 Daniels Z, Armstrong AK, Salavitabar A. First-in-paediatric uses of a mechanical aspiration system for percutaneous removal of right atrial masses. Cardiology in the young 2023. link 3 Violette PD, Jewett MAS, Richard PO. Evidence-based Urology: Trustworthy Guidelines. European urology focus 2021. link 4 Kooraki S, Abtin F. Image-Guided Biopsies and Interventions of Mediastinal Lesions. Radiologic clinics of North America 2021. link 5 Cohen O, Avinadav E, Sharon E, Pirogovsky A, Freud E. Pediatric and Adolescent Surgical Breast Clinic: Preliminary Experience. Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology 2020. link 6 Lipnik AJ, Brown DB. Image-Guided Percutaneous Abdominal Mass Biopsy: Technical and Clinical Considerations. Radiologic clinics of North America 2015. link 7 Weight CJ, Crispen PL, Breau RH, Kim SP, Lohse CM, Boorjian SA et al.. Practice-setting and surgeon characteristics heavily influence the decision to perform partial nephrectomy among American Urologic Association surgeons. BJU international 2013. link 8 . American Gastroenterological Association Institute medical position statement on the management of gastric subepithelial masses. Gastroenterology 2006. link 9 Hwang JH, Rulyak SD, Kimmey MB. American Gastroenterological Association Institute technical review on the management of gastric subepithelial masses. Gastroenterology 2006. link 10 Feld RI. Ultrasound-guided biopsies: tricks, needle tips, and other fine points. Ultrasound quarterly 2004. link 11 Dunn IB, Palmer M. Erroneous diagnosis of chronic urinary retention in three women with pelvic cysts. Scandinavian journal of urology and nephrology 2000. link 12 Heller RE, Fernbach SK. Two apparent suprarenal masses. Two cases in children: heterotaxy syndrome with spleen lying in suprarenal space and gastric duplication cyst lying in suprarenal space. Pediatric radiology 2000. link 13 Bilal MM, Brown JJ. MR imaging of renal and adrenal masses in children. Magnetic resonance imaging clinics of North America 1997. link 14 Olak J. Parasternal mediastinotomy (Chamberlain procedure). Chest surgery clinics of North America 1996. link 15 Simpson I, Campbell PE. Mediastinal masses in childhood: a review from a paediatric pathologist's point of view. Progress in pediatric surgery 1991. link 16 Mindell HJ. Pitfalls in sonography of renal masses. Urologic radiology 1989. link 17 Goldberg BB. Ultrasonic evaluation of superficial masses. Journal of clinical ultrasound : JCU 1975. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Are chatbots a reliable source for patient frequently asked questions on neck masses?Hack S, Alsleibi S, Saleh N, Alon EE, Rabinovics N, Remer E European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (2025)
    2. [2]
      First-in-paediatric uses of a mechanical aspiration system for percutaneous removal of right atrial masses.Daniels Z, Armstrong AK, Salavitabar A Cardiology in the young (2023)
    3. [3]
      Evidence-based Urology: Trustworthy Guidelines.Violette PD, Jewett MAS, Richard PO European urology focus (2021)
    4. [4]
      Image-Guided Biopsies and Interventions of Mediastinal Lesions.Kooraki S, Abtin F Radiologic clinics of North America (2021)
    5. [5]
      Pediatric and Adolescent Surgical Breast Clinic: Preliminary Experience.Cohen O, Avinadav E, Sharon E, Pirogovsky A, Freud E Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology (2020)
    6. [6]
      Image-Guided Percutaneous Abdominal Mass Biopsy: Technical and Clinical Considerations.Lipnik AJ, Brown DB Radiologic clinics of North America (2015)
    7. [7]
    8. [8]
    9. [9]
    10. [10]
    11. [11]
      Erroneous diagnosis of chronic urinary retention in three women with pelvic cysts.Dunn IB, Palmer M Scandinavian journal of urology and nephrology (2000)
    12. [12]
    13. [13]
      MR imaging of renal and adrenal masses in children.Bilal MM, Brown JJ Magnetic resonance imaging clinics of North America (1997)
    14. [14]
      Parasternal mediastinotomy (Chamberlain procedure).Olak J Chest surgery clinics of North America (1996)
    15. [15]
      Mediastinal masses in childhood: a review from a paediatric pathologist's point of view.Simpson I, Campbell PE Progress in pediatric surgery (1991)
    16. [16]
      Pitfalls in sonography of renal masses.Mindell HJ Urologic radiology (1989)
    17. [17]
      Ultrasonic evaluation of superficial masses.Goldberg BB Journal of clinical ultrasound : JCU (1975)

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