Surgical excision of ectopic hepatic tissue in the right atrium

Abstract

MRI showing ectopic liver mass at the junction of the IVC and right atrium with connecting stalk. Central Message Intracardiac or intracaval presence of ectopic liver tissue is rare and can be easily misdiagnosed. A high index of suspicion and good images with MRI help guide surgical excision.

The elusive mass in the right atrium: A liver in the heart

“…It may also be wise to have a liver surgeon on standby, in case an intra-abdominal repair of the IVC is required. Giritharan and associates 1 were extremely lucky in not encountering any serious complications in this case. The attachment of the mass was deeper in the IVC, just above the level of the portal veins.…”