CT Lung Screening (Low-Dose)

Annual low-dose CT chest examination for early lung cancer detection, performed at Radiologie am Turm under the direction of Prof. Dr. Jacobi — a specialist in pulmonary imaging and former deputy director of radiology at Frankfurt University Hospital. Radiation dose is minimised using the dedicated low-dose CT protocol. No contrast injection required. Findings reviewed in person with the radiologist. Recommended for current and former smokers with a significant pack-year history and individuals with other lung cancer risk factors.

Annual low-dose CT lung screening is one of the most evidence-backed preventive imaging interventions available for at-risk individuals. Radiologie am Turm's lung screening service benefits from the direct expertise of Prof. Dr. Volkmar Jacobi, whose specialist area is pulmonary radiological diagnostics and who spent many years as deputy director of radiology at Frankfurt University Hospital — one of Germany's leading academic centres. The examination rationale rests on robust trial data. The US National Lung Screening Trial (NLST, 53,000+ participants) demonstrated that annual low-dose CT reduced lung cancer mortality by 20% compared to chest radiography in high-risk smokers. The European NELSON trial (2019, 15,792 participants) confirmed a 26% mortality reduction in men and approximately 39–61% in women. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), American Cancer Society, and American Thoracic Society all endorse annual LDCT screening for individuals meeting risk criteria. At Radiologie am Turm, the CT scanner operates on a dedicated low-dose protocol that keeps thoracic radiation exposure to approximately 1–2 mSv per scan — comparable to natural background radiation over several months, and far below a conventional diagnostic chest CT (typically 5–7 mSv). No intravenous contrast is administered. The examination requires a single breath-hold of approximately 10 seconds while the gantry rotates around the chest. Primary eligibility targets current or former smokers aged 50–80 with at least 20 pack-years of tobacco history — the criteria endorsed by the USPSTF and NELSON protocol. The practice's on-site consultation allows Prof. Jacobi to discuss individual risk factors, including occupational exposures (asbestos, radon, diesel fumes) that may lower the threshold for screening outside standard demographic criteria. The radiologist reviews each scan for pulmonary nodules and categorises them according to size, morphology, and Lung-RADS (Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System) risk category — from benign-appearing calcified granulomas to solid or part-solid nodules warranting follow-up imaging or tissue sampling. Incidental findings in adjacent structures — mediastinum, heart, thoracic aorta, liver, adrenal glands, and thoracic spine — are also reported. A structured written report with follow-up recommendations is provided, and all findings are explained in person during the post-scan consultation.