CT Lung Screening

Niedrigdosis-CT lung cancer early detection for smokers aged 50–75. Ultra-low radiation protocol per German BMUV regulation. Detects nodules from 3 mm with no contrast required. Self-pay for eligible patients; statutory coverage pending.

Low-dose CT lung cancer screening at Radiologie am Raschplatz is performed under the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV) regulation that permits eligible smokers aged 50 to 75 to undergo Niedrigdosis-Computertomographie (NDCT) for early lung cancer detection. The practice uses a dedicated low-dose CT protocol that minimises radiation exposure while maintaining the resolution required to detect pulmonary nodules as small as three millimetres — the size threshold at which early-stage treatment substantially improves survival rates. The examination requires no contrast agent and no special preparation beyond arriving in comfortable clothing. The patient lies supine on the scanner couch, takes a single deep breath, and the acquisition is complete in under ten seconds. There are no injections, no fasting, and no recovery time required. The entire appointment including registration and report consultation takes approximately 20–30 minutes. The resulting images are reviewed by a specialist radiologist who applies standardised Lung-RADS assessment criteria to characterise any detected nodules by size, morphology, and density, determining whether follow-up imaging, short-interval surveillance, or further investigation is warranted. The report is issued on the same day and sent to the referring physician or provided directly to self-pay patients on request. Eligibility follows the BMUV guideline: current or former smokers aged 50–75 who have smoked at least 20 cigarettes per day for 20 years (or equivalent cumulative exposure) qualify. Self-pay patients and those with private insurance may arrange appointments directly. GKV (statutory insurance) coverage for this indication is currently being phased in under the national early detection programme. The practice is registered with the Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Niedersachsen and accepts referrals from general practitioners and specialists.