Low-Dose CT Lung Screening

Low-dose CT examination of the lungs for early detection of pulmonary nodules, lung cancer, incidental lung findings, and structural pulmonary pathology. Acquired on Dual-Layer Spectral CT with dose reduction algorithms. No contrast, no preparation, suitable for annual lung cancer screening in high-risk individuals.

Low-dose CT lung screening at Claraspital uses the Dual-Layer Spectral CT with iterative reconstruction and dose-reduction protocols to image the lungs at a fraction of the radiation dose delivered by conventional diagnostic chest CT. The technique is recommended by multiple international guidelines — including USPSTF and ESR — for annual screening in high-risk individuals: primarily adults aged 50 to 80 with at least a 20 pack-year smoking history who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. The Dual-Layer Spectral CT's detector architecture enables thin-slice acquisition (0.625 mm or better) with minimal noise even at low milliampere settings, producing images with sufficient spatial resolution to characterise nodules down to approximately 3 mm in diameter. Spectral post-processing can be applied selectively: virtual monoenergetic images at high kiloelectronvolt settings suppress calcification blooming artefacts, helping to characterise calcified versus non-calcified nodules — a key distinction in lung cancer risk stratification under Lung-RADS or Fleischner criteria. The examination requires no intravenous contrast, no fasting, and no special preparation. Patients are asked to take a single deep breath and hold it for approximately 10 seconds while the scanner completes the acquisition. Total appointment time is approximately 20 to 30 minutes. The radiologist report follows Lung-RADS or Fleischner Society recommendations, classifying nodules by size, morphology, and CT density (solid, part-solid, ground-glass), and providing a follow-up interval or further workup recommendation. Beyond lung cancer screening, the low-dose chest CT captures the full lung parenchyma, pleura, mediastinum, and visible airways, providing incidental information about bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease, aortic changes, and lymphadenopathy. Claraspital's Pneumologie and Thoraxchirurgie departments are available for direct referral when findings require multidisciplinary input.