CT Lung Screening

Low-dose CT of the chest for early detection of lung nodules and other pulmonary pathology. LUX MED Diagnostyka lists 'TK klatki piersiowej niskodawkowe' (low-dose chest CT) as a distinct protocol alongside standard-dose chest CT. Recommended for current and former smokers aged 50–74, pre-surgical lung assessment, and incidental nodule follow-up. Physician referral required.

Low-dose chest CT uses a significantly reduced radiation exposure — typically 1–2 mSv compared to 5–7 mSv for a diagnostic standard-dose chest CT — while retaining sufficient spatial resolution to identify pulmonary nodules of 4 mm and above. The LUX MED Diagnostyka CT catalogue explicitly lists this as 'tomografia komputerowa klatki piersiowej niskodawkowe', a distinct examination type separate from the standard-dose chest protocol. For lung cancer screening in high-risk individuals, low-dose CT is the only evidence-based intervention demonstrated to reduce mortality. The US National Lung Screening Trial showed a 20% relative reduction in lung cancer mortality in current or former heavy smokers aged 55–74 screened annually with low-dose CT versus chest radiography. The landmark NELSON trial in Europe confirmed similar findings in a Dutch-Belgian cohort — a 26% mortality reduction in men and 39% in women after 10 years of follow-up. European Society of Radiology and European Respiratory Society guidelines now recommend annual or biennial low-dose CT for current or former smokers aged 50–74 with a significant pack-year history. Poland has one of the highest smoking prevalences in the EU, with approximately 27% of adults currently smoking and a large population of former heavy smokers. This creates high background demand for lung cancer screening among Warsaw's professional and executive population — a demographic well represented at Enel-Med's central Warsaw clinic. The clinic's urban Wola district location makes it accessible for patients from across Warsaw's business districts who want to complete a screening scan during working hours. Beyond cancer screening, low-dose chest CT is used for: follow-up of incidental pulmonary nodules detected on previous chest X-ray or CT; assessment of ground-glass opacities (GGOs) that require monitoring for growth or change in density; evaluation of emphysema severity and distribution pattern in COPD patients; and pre-operative lung assessment in thoracic and cardiac surgery candidates where minimising cumulative radiation is a consideration. The examination acquires thin-slice images of the entire lung parenchyma in a single breath-hold of approximately 10 seconds. No intravenous contrast or fasting is required. A physician referral is required under Polish Atomic Law. Results are available as a written report with CD and patient portal access.