Table 3.

Key points of MSCT findings in IE

	MSCT Imaging findings	Advantages	Drawbacks
Vegetation	Hypodense homogeneous irregular mass on valve or endocardial structures.	- Accuracy of detection similar to echocardiography. - Vegetation size correlates on both MSCT and echocardiography.	Echocardiography is superior in detecting small vegetations.
Perforation	Defect in the leaflet.		Echocardiography is superior in detecting perforations.
Valvular aneurysm	Loss of the homogenous curvature of the leaflet
Valvular thickening	Leaflet thickened		Difficult to assess when lesions are degenerative or calcified.
Peri-valvular abscess	Peri-valvular collection of liquid density. Thick layer of inflammatory tissue enhanced by contrast media	- Excellent detection capacity. - 3D reconstruction MSCT is superior to TEE in detecting extension to the mediastinal structures.
Pseudoaneurysm	Abnormal cavity close to the valve enhancing concomitantly with the cardiac or aortic lumen	- Excellent detection capacity. - 3D reconstruction MSCT is superior to TEE in detecting extension to the mediastinal structures.
Fistula	Communication between neighbouring cavities	- Excellent detection capacity. - 3D reconstruction MSCT is superior to TEE in detecting extension to the mediastinal structures.
Prosthetic valve	Disinsertion of a prosthetic valve Vegetation on the prosthetic valve	- 3D reconstruction possible - Dynamic assessment of leaflet motion	Metallic artefacts