Application of transesophageal echocardiography in a hydrocephalic pregnant woman during ventriculoatrial shunt operation: Report of a case

In the use of the ventriculoatrial shunt, it is important to place the distal end at the cavoatrial junction to secure its function and to avoid complications. We report the successful application of transesophageal echocardiography in a hydrocephalic pregnant woman. There was no radiation exposure and good intraoperative control. The distal end of the catheter could be directed to the cavo-atrial junction under real-time monitoring. This provides a safer and more accurate method of shunt placement than has been previously used.