MITRAL AND TRICUSPID VALVE VEGETATIONS IN INFANCY DIAGNOSED BY ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

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Abstract
The use of echocardiography in diagnosing intra-cardiac vegetations is described in 2 [human] infants. The condition is unusual in infancy, but can be suspected from the clinical picture and positive blood cultures. Using echocardiography the vegetations can be localized exactly and the extent of valvular involvement can be estimated. In 1 case a vegetation on the anterior mitral leaflet was diagnosed and a gradual increase in size could be demonstrated. In the other case a large echo-producing mass was found attached to the tricuspid valve, protruding into the right ventricular outflow tract. This mass represented a fungal vegetation. In both cases autopsy later verified the echocardiographic findings.