The Liver and Right Atrium—Hepatic Cyst as a Cause of Arrhythmia

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

The Violin Heart

Left ventricular false tendons are thin, fibromuscular structures which traverse the left ventricular cavity. They are thought to be intracavitary radiations of the bundle of His. Usually these tendons span between the interventricular septum and the lateral wall or a papillary muscle. They have been known to be a source of innocent and musical murmurs

The Double U Wave—Should the Electrocardiogram be Interpreted Echocardiographically?

The U wave is still an electrocardiographic deflection of enigmatic origin. Numerous hypotheses on its origin have been formulated, but to date none has been conclusively proven. Recently, a report described the first case of bifid (or notched) U waves. Until then this phenomenon has only been described in the T wave. This is the first report of double U waves—two separate deflections, ascribed to an accessory papillary muscle

Sub aortic tendon induced ST segment elevation – a new echo electrocardiographic phenomenon?

The causes for ST-segment elevation other than myocardial infarction are numerous

Right Ventricular Variants and Pulmonary Embolism—Association or Coincidence?

It has been stated that the interior of the right ventricle is as unique to each individual as one’s fingerprint. This statement is backed by numerous publications which demonstrates considerable variation in the number, shape and configuration of papillary muscles inside the normal right ventricle

Did the unfounded claim that Turkey was about to join the EU swing the referendum?

Even in 2016 - before Turkey's latest turn towards authoritarianism - the chances of the country joining the EU before 2030 were remote. Yet this did not prevent Vote Leave from claiming towards the end of the referendum campaign that Turkey was poised to join. This unfounded claim, writes James Ker-Lindsay (LSE), played into voters' existing worries about immigration. It may even have swung the result

Look ahead to 2017: a potential Cyprus settlement?

To mark the end of the year, we’ve asked our contributors to preview some of the possible stories of 2017. In this contribution, James Ker-Lindsay writes on the potential for a settlement to be agreed in Cyprus by the summer

Understanding state responses to secession

The response of states to acts of secession on their territory has been subject to relatively little attention in the academic literature. Drawing on the examples of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Serbia and Kosovo, and Georgia and South Ossetia and Abkhazia, this article posits that there are in fact six reasons why states oppose acts of secession. These are: emotional attachment to the territory; internally displaced persons; economic factors; historical and cultural issues; fear of further secession; and national pride. Following on from this, the piece emphasises that subsequent efforts to prevent the secessionist territory from being recognised must be seen in the context of processes to resolve the situation arising from the act of secession. In some cases, this may be reunification. In others, it may be an agreed separation. At other times, it may be about leaving the door open for a military solution. In other words, opposing secession is a response to a tangible grievance. Opposing recognition is about shaping the conditions to redress that grievance. A better understanding of the specific dynamics of, and interrelationship between, these two factors would seem to be crucial for peacemakers