Mitral insufficiency caused by isolated rupture of the papillary muscle secondary to blunt thoracic trauma

We report a patient suffering from mitral insufficiency after isolated rupture a papillary muscle as a result of a car accident with blunt chest trauma. The diagnosis is often difficult due to related multiple lesions which vary the clinical picture. Physical exploration, electrocardiogram, enzymatic and nuclear scan lack adequate sensitivity and specificity. Echocardiography appears to be the most reliable noninvasive diagnostic method now available.