Hepatocellular carcinoma invading the right atrium: clinical, echographic and angiographic study

The authors report the case of a 54 year old woman suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor growth into right hepatic vein, inferior vena cava and right atrium. On cardiac examination, a pansystolic bruit and a diastolic rumble were audible at the tricuspid focus. Diagnosis was confirmed by inferior vena cavography and two-dimensional echocardiography, which demonstrated a large mobile mass in the right atrium moving to and fro through the tricuspid valve. This case report emphasizes the value of routine cardiac examination during the course of hepatocellular carcinoma.