Contribution of Three-Dimensional Echocardiography Xplane Mode in the Evaluation of Semilunar Cusps: Two Different Case Reports

Orthogonal-biplane imaging (X-plane) is relatively a new tooL and provides comprehensive information about mitral valve and left atrial appendage evaluation. On the other hand, X-plane method is a promising method in the diagnosis of semilunar valve pathologies. Below, we report 2 cases, in which X-plane method was used, in order to clarify diagnosis.

Case 1: Case 1 was a 63-year-old male patient who was admitted to our clinic with dyspnea. Right ventricular dilatation and hypertrophy were assessed. In order to determine the exact reason for right ventricular pressure overload, the pulmonary valve was evaluated by X-plane, and a bicuspid pulmonary valve was represented. This patient underwent pulmonary valve percutaneous valvuloplasty.

Case 2: Case 2 was a 48-year-old male patient who was admitted to our hospital with a history of cerebrovascular event. His initial transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography showed a hyperechoic mobile mass on the non-coronary cusp. However, after X-plane was used to detect the aortic valve, it was the prolapsed part of the non-coronary cusp adjacent to the commissure. These 2 case reports demonstrated the efficacy of the X-plane method in the diagnosis of semilunar valve pathologies in daily practice.