An ambiguous case of chordal rupture. Erroneous diagnosis of echocardiography. Case report

A patient is described, in whom a sessile endocardial mass was diagnosed by echocardiography after a history of progressive dyspnoea. The tumor appeared to be attached to the mitral valve suspension apparatus and it was seen to be fluttering in the outflow tract of the left ventricle. During surgery, mucoid degenerated and ruptured chordae were resected. The actual size of the chordae was very small in relation to the tumor seen by echocardiography. The possible etiology and the echocardiographic pitfalls are discussed.