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Transesophageal echocardiography: a simple method for monitoring the patency of ventriculoatrial shunts. Technical
L Calliauw1, J Vandenbogaerde, O Kalala
1Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Abstract:
A new method for evaluating the patency of a ventriculoatrial shunt is described, and early experience with it is reported. Transesophageal echocardiography can demonstrate a cerebrospinal fluid leak in the right atrium through the atrial tip of a shunting device. This capability was an incidental discovery, and since then the accuracy of the technique in evaluating the patency of a ventriculoatrial shunt has been prospectively studied in 20 observations of 16 patients. The method proved to be accurate in 90% to 100% of cases. It is concluded that transesophageal echocardiography offers a rapid and accurate assessment of ventriculoatrial shunt function, is well tolerated, and is easy to perform.