Lung Imaging Tests

Lung Imaging Tests

Imaging tests are an essential tool to observe and assess possible lung problems. In addition to locating possible conditions, they show us the extension and degree of disease.

They enable us to:

Make an accurate diagnosis, localise the condition and observe its extension.
Evaluate response to treatment
Be guided when taking biopsies, helping to locate the exact site.

The benefit of an accurate diagnosis far outweighs the risk.

Chest X-ray:

X-rays, specifically chest X-rays, use ionising radiation to reproduce images of structures within and around the chest

They are the initial test used to assess the lungs showing the lungs, heart, and chest wall.

When a greater degree of diagnostic accuracy is needed, a CT scan is requested.

When are they indicated?

In those cases where the patient shows symptoms such as shortness of breath, persistent cough, fever, chest pain or injury and there is suspicion of conditions such as pneumonia, emphysema, fluid or air accumulation around the lungs, or lung cancer.

Risks

X-rays provide a baseline image with little radiation and are also inexpensive.

Chest CT

CT (computed tomography) uses X-rays to obtain high-definition images of the lungs, heart, blood vessels, airways…

CT provides images in slices and sections of internal organs and structures. These images are processed using a computer capable of three-dimensional reconstruction of the area, so it can be studied from different angles.

CT is the most effective test for the diagnosis of respiratory diseases as it provides:

Higher spatial resolution. It enables visualisation of all lung and mediastinal structures (part of the middle of the chest), even lesions of 1 millimetre in size.
Better image resolution, when visualizing the bone structure of the rib cage, often affected by lung processes.
Increased diagnostic capacity. It enables diagnosis of the extent of the disease. Knowing the extension of the tumour or the nature of the inflammatory process enables a much more accurate prognosis, as a result more or less intensive treatment can be administered

When is it indicated?

It is indicated when there are doubts generated by the X-ray and greater diagnostic accuracy is required. This may occur for example in pneumonitis (lung inflammation), lung cancer extension studies, pulmonary embolism, or following a previous respiratory disease, such as COVID pneumonia, when pulmonary fibrosis is suspected or there is scarring in the lungs from this.

Risks

Although high resolution CT involves more radiation, its diagnostic capacity is significantly better, the specialist will always assess the risks/benefits of the test.

State-of-the-art equipment does however minimise the radiation dose received by the patient to as little as possible.

Low-dose CT scan

Low-dose CT is a preventative test. It produces images of sufficient quality to detect suspicious disease or tissue using much less radiation than a conventional CT.

When is it indicated?

It is usually performed in a screening programme in smokers or ex-smokers, those over 50 years of age, or those with a family history of lung cancer. It allows the likelihood of lung cancer to be diagnosed in its very early stages.

Occasionally, CT shows suspicious lesions that are not lung cancer, but are residual lesions or inflammatory lesions; in these cases, low-dose CT enables us to repeat the test and monitor the lesions, as the dose of radiation is much lower.

PET CT

PET-CT is a fundamental diagnostic test when assessing tumour processes. In a single session, anatomical information (CT or computed tomography) and metabolic information (PET or positron emission tomography) are obtained. The fusion of both images provides information on the location, spread and behaviour of the disease.

During the test, a radiopharmaceutical is injected, this accumulates in areas with greater metabolic activity, as is the case with tumours.

HC Marbella’s state-of-the-art PET-CT specialises in the diagnosis of lung cancer:

It enables early diagnosis of pulmonary micronodules. Its diagnostic accuracy allows detection of pulmonary micronodules even when they are so small that they cannot be biopsied.
It prevents unnecessary surgery. The information that the specialist obtains from this test allows assessment of whether or not a biopsy is necessary. As a result we can prevent unnecessary surgery in up to 1 in 5 patients with suspected non-small cell lung cancer.
It has a respiratory gating system. This dedicated system for the diagnosis of pulmonary lesions allows the synchronisation of imaging with the natural breathing movement, achieving a higher quality moving image in comparison to other techniques.

When is it indicated?

During diagnosis, PET-CT is indicated after the performance of other diagnostic tests when there is a clear suspicion of lung cancer, in addition, it allows us to check if there is any disease in other areas of the body.

After diagnosis, PET-CT allows us to assess treatment response and to monitor disease after remission.

Risks

The radiation dose received in a PET-CT scan is relatively low compared to the benefits that it provides

After being injected the patient eliminates the radiopharmaceutical through the urine without causing any risk.

HC Marbella has a much safer, state-of-the-art PET-CT that reduces the radiation dose by 60% and provides higher image quality whilst administering 50% less radiopharmaceutical.