Aortic root abscess with fistula formation.

Aortic root abscess is a common complication of aortic valve endocarditis. However, aortic root abscess and formation of a fistula from the aortic root to the right ventricular outflow tract in the setting of a native aortic valve and previous repair of an aortic dissection with a Dacron graft is an uncommon event. Transesophageal echocardiography is superior to transthoracic echocardiography for the diagnosis of aortic root abscess. To our knowledge, no studies have compared the diagnostic value of cardiac MRI with transesophageal echocardiography for this condition.