‘X-ray’ is an important tool for diagnosing diseases and symptoms related to bones and internal organs. Currently, X-ray technology has advanced to the next level, known as Bi-Plane X-ray.
What is Bi-plane X-ray?
Bi-Plane X-ray is a 3D X-ray technology that can capture images from two angles or two planes simultaneously: vertical (Anterior-Posterior View) and horizontal (Lateral View). This helps doctors see internal organs, bone structures, and blood vessels more clearly and in greater detail than regular X-rays. It is suitable for diagnosis and procedures that require high precision.
Which diagnostic examinations are suitable for Bi-Plane X-ray, CT Scan, and MRI?
The choice of using Bi-Plane X-ray, CT Scan, or MRI depends on the nature of the disease and the level of detail required for diagnosis or treatment, which differ as follows:
- Bi-Plane X-ray (two-plane X-ray) is suitable for examining bone structures and procedures that require real-time imaging, such as orthopedic surgery on bones, joints, and spine; vascular surgery such as cardiac catheterization; and neurological procedures like treating brain aneurysms.
- CT Scan (computed tomography) is suitable for examining internal organs that require more detailed cross-sectional images than regular X-rays. It is often used for detecting complex fractures such as skull and spine fractures, identifying tumors or cancers in the lungs, liver, and abdomen, diagnosing brain hemorrhages, and cerebral artery occlusions, especially in emergency cases requiring rapid results.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is suitable for examining soft tissues, providing more detailed images of soft tissues than CT scans. It is commonly used for brain and nervous system examinations such as brain tumors, spinal cord injuries, tendons, and muscles, as well as abdominal organs like liver, kidneys, spleen, uterus, and prostate.
Bi-Plane X-ray: Technology for precision treatment of 3 major disease groups
Bi-Plane X-ray is a two-angle X-ray technology that can capture images from two directions simultaneously, allowing doctors to see pathological conditions in more dimensions. This is highly beneficial for diagnosis and real-time treatment, especially for complex procedures requiring precision, such as locating lesions inside blood vessels. It also helps reduce the risk of complications, shortens treatment time, and speeds up patient recovery. Phyathai Phaholyothin Hospital is committed to providing the highest quality care and has therefore implemented Bi-Plane X-ray for important examinations and procedures in 3 main disease groups, including:
1. Vascular and heart procedures (Cardio Intervention) help doctors accurately visualize the position of catheters, reduce risks, and increase the chances of successful treatment with the Road Map program, an automatic navigation system that reduces complications from contrast agents, such as:
- Coronary artery angioplasty (Angioplasty) caused by the buildup of fatty plaques (atherosclerosis) or blockages in blood vessels. Doctors use a catheter with a balloon at the tip to expand the narrowed blood vessel back to its normal size. Using Bi-Plane X-ray helps doctors see and track the balloon’s position in the blood vessels from two angles while reducing the amount of contrast agent used simultaneously, resulting in more accurate and safer angioplasty.
- Stent placement involves inserting a metal coil or other materials into narrowed coronary arteries to prevent re-narrowing. The stent helps keep the blood vessel open and unobstructed. Using Bi-Plane X-ray during this procedure allows doctors to see the size and position of the stent accurately, reducing errors and improving treatment effectiveness.
- Thrombectomy is a procedure to remove blood clots from blocked coronary arteries. Using Bi-Plane X-ray helps doctors precisely guide the catheter to the clot, making clot removal and blood flow restoration more effective.
2. Brain and nervous system procedures (Neuro Intervention) help doctors accurately locate abnormal blood vessels using the CBCT program, which allows immediate post-procedure CT scanning on the machine without moving the patient to the X-ray department. This enables faster and more accurate additional diagnosis, such as:
- Thrombectomy in cases of ischemic stroke caused by blood clots. Using Bi-Plane X-ray allows doctors to see the clot’s position in cerebral vessels from two angles simultaneously, aiding precise decision-making on clot removal methods and appropriate tools, improving treatment effectiveness, reducing complication risks, and shortening treatment time.
- Aneurysm coiling involves inserting coils into the site of a ruptured or leaking cerebral blood vessel to prevent blood leakage. Using Bi-Plane X-ray during coiling helps doctors clearly see the shape and location of the leak in cerebral vessels, ensuring more accurate and safer coil placement.
- Stenting for cerebral artery stenosis is a treatment that improves blood flow to the brain. Using Bi-Plane X-ray during this procedure helps doctors accurately see the narrowing and the exact location for stent placement from two views, increasing the chances of successful treatment and reducing complication risks.
3. Internal organ treatment procedures (Body Intervention) help doctors precisely position treatment devices, such as:
- Targeted cancer treatment, such as liver cancer (HCC) with localized chemotherapy (TACE) and tumor ablation using heat waves (RFA/MWA)
- TACE (Transarterial Chemoembolization) is the delivery of chemotherapy drugs through blood vessels supplying the liver tumor by injecting chemicals that kill cancer cells at the targeted site. During the procedure, the 3D program of the X-ray machine helps doctors see the blood vessels leading to the tumor, allowing precise chemical delivery and improving liver cancer treatment effectiveness.
- RFA (Radiofrequency Ablation) and MWA (Microwave Ablation) use heat waves to destroy liver tumors. Using Bi-Plane X-ray helps doctors clearly track the tumor’s position while precisely guiding the ablation device. This technology enhances treatment effectiveness and speeds up patient recovery.
- Treatment of stenosis or aneurysms in internal organs such as blood vessels supplying the kidneys, intestines, or liver. Using Bi-Plane X-ray helps doctors accurately see abnormal blood vessels, making procedures like angioplasty or stent placement to widen narrowed vessels more effective and reducing the risk of complications.
- Embolization is the blockage of blood vessels supplying tumors to cut off blood flow, causing the tumor to shrink or atrophy. This is an effective treatment for tumors that cannot be surgically removed or do not respond to medication. Using Bi-Plane X-ray allows doctors to clearly see the blood vessels supplying the tumor from two angles simultaneously, enabling precise embolization of abnormal vessels.
The Bi-Plane X-ray technology not only increases diagnostic accuracy and improves procedural precision but also ensures patients receive more effective and safer care. At Phyathai Phaholyothin Hospital, we are ready to provide care, screening, diagnosis, and treatment with advanced technology and attentive service at every step to achieve the best outcomes and meet all health care needs.
Dr. Ongkarn Komsan
Cardiologist
Phyathai Phaholyothin Hospital
