Incremental Role of Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography in the Assessment of Mitral-Aortic Intervalvular Fibrosa Abscess

We report a case of an elderly patient in whom live/real time three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) provided definitive diagnosis of mitral‐aortic intervalvular fibrosa abscess. This could not be done by two‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2DTTE) and two‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2DTEE). 3DTEE was also helpful in ruling out associated mitral valve endocarditis, which was initially suspected by 2DTEE leading to a mitral valve sparing surgery. Thus, 3DTEE provided incremental information over 2DTTE and 2DTEE in this patient. (Echocardiography 2012;29:742‐744)