Which finding is listed as a false-positive result for MVP?

Which finding is listed as a false-positive result for MVP?

• A. mild pericardial effusion
• B. left basilar atelectasis
• C. multiple PVS
• D. off axis imaging

Answer: (C)

When evaluating mitral valve prolapse on ultrasound, the aim is to distinguish true leaflet prolapse from appearances that mimic it but aren’t real prolapse. A false-positive MVP can arise from pseudo-structures within the valve apparatus that create an illusion of systolic leaflet excursion. Multiple PVS refers to several pseudo-structures in the mitral valve area (such as bulky chordae or papillary muscle configurations) that can produce movement or appearance similar to prolapse on imaging, even though the leaflets themselves aren’t truly displaced beyond the annulus in systole. Because these pseudo-structures can mimic MVP across views, they’re flagged as false positives in this context. Other options, like mild pericardial effusion or left basilar atelectasis, can affect imaging windows or produce artifacts, but they’re not the specific pitfall described here. Off-axis imaging is a known source of artifact as well, but the item in this question is identifying the pseudo-structures as the false-positive finding.

When evaluating mitral valve prolapse on ultrasound, the aim is to distinguish true leaflet prolapse from appearances that mimic it but aren’t real prolapse. A false-positive MVP can arise from pseudo-structures within the valve apparatus that create an illusion of systolic leaflet excursion. Multiple PVS refers to several pseudo-structures in the mitral valve area (such as bulky chordae or papillary muscle configurations) that can produce movement or appearance similar to prolapse on imaging, even though the leaflets themselves aren’t truly displaced beyond the annulus in systole. Because these pseudo-structures can mimic MVP across views, they’re flagged as false positives in this context. Other options, like mild pericardial effusion or left basilar atelectasis, can affect imaging windows or produce artifacts, but they’re not the specific pitfall described here. Off-axis imaging is a known source of artifact as well, but the item in this question is identifying the pseudo-structures as the false-positive finding.