Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE): its diagnostic value in endocarditis

Transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography (TTE) has been an accepted noninvasive procedure used to diagnose infective endocarditis by demonstrating the presence of vegetations and other complications such as ring abcess, mycotic lesions or sinus of valsalva aneurysm. Moreover, complementary Doppler and Color Flow imaging are very useful in detecting early valvular regurgitation and in evaluating the severity of such regurgitant lesions. Occasionally, TTE fails to provide an adequate quality of imaging because of the patient's obesity, chest deformity or emphysema. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) on the other hand, a relatively new technique, allows ultrasonic imaging of the heart through the esophagus and provides a clear visualization of all cardiac structures without any interference from the lungs, chest wall or rib cage. We present a case of aortic valve endocarditis diagnosed by TEE.