The liver and right atrium : hepatic cyst as a cause of arrhythmia

Abstract

Simple hepatic cysts are a relatively common radiological finding. These cysts may be classified as parasitic and non-parasitic. They are usually asymptomatic, but may cause symptoms due to local compression. These compressive complications include: portal hypertension, edema due to caval compression, extrinsic gastric compression and duodenal compression with obstruction. However, no reports in the literature exist describing atrial compression by hepatic cysts. In this case report a simple hepatic cyst causing slight right atrial compression is described. This slight compression is the cause of atrial premature beats. It is proposed that simple hepatic cysts may be the cause of atrial premature beats.