Low-Dose Lung CT

Low-dose CT of the lungs for early detection of pulmonary nodules, lung cancer screening, and post-infection assessment. Significantly lower radiation dose than standard chest CT. Available on both private self-pay and NFZ basis at ul. Wałbrzyska 46, Warsaw. GP referral accepted including from Primary Care doctors.

Low-dose CT of the thorax is the primary recommended imaging modality for lung cancer screening in high-risk populations and for the systematic evaluation of indeterminate pulmonary nodules identified on plain chest X-ray. Centrum Medyczne Damiana's CT department at Wałbrzyska 46 offers this examination as both a private self-pay and NFZ-funded study, with specific provisions confirmed on the hospital's CT guide page for the NFZ lung CT pathway. Low-dose chest CT uses a modified acquisition protocol — lower tube current and potentially automated dose-reduction techniques — to image the lungs with radiation exposure substantially below that of a standard diagnostic chest CT while maintaining sufficient spatial resolution to detect nodules as small as 4–5 mm. The technique is appropriate for annual screening in long-term smokers (current or past) aged 50–74 with a 20 pack-year history, for surveillance of known indeterminate nodules under a structured follow-up protocol (Fleischner Society or Lung-RADS guidelines), for evaluation of persistent or recurrent pulmonary infections including post-COVID parenchymal changes, and for pre-operative lung assessment before thoracic procedures. The examination is performed without intravenous contrast for standard lung screening purposes, meaning there are no dietary restrictions beforehand and no creatinine testing requirement. The patient lies supine on the CT table, holds their breath for approximately 10 seconds during the acquisition phase, and is done within 20 minutes total. Patients should wear clothing without metal fasteners and should arrive 15 minutes early for health questionnaire completion. Under the NFZ pathway at Centrum Medyczne Wałbrzyska, lung CT referrals may be issued by Primary Care (POZ) doctors in addition to specialists — the hospital's CT page notes this explicitly and specifies that the referral should be addressed to 'pracownia tomografii komputerowej' and include information about a preceding chest X-ray and its abnormal result. For private patients, any doctor's referral (or the centre's own pre-CT consultation) is sufficient. Results are delivered as a written radiologist report describing any detected nodules by location, size, and morphology, with a risk category and recommended follow-up interval. For international patients, reports can be prepared in English through the IMC coordination service. The IMC team can also manage structured follow-up scheduling for Fleischner Society nodule surveillance protocols across multiple visits.