Year: 2026 | Month: April | Volume: 16 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 122-129
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260417
LDCT for Screening of Lung Nodules: 7 Year Experiences from a Tertiary Hospital in India
Ashok C Babu1, Vivekjith V G2, Sangeetha Merrin Varghese3, Danny Jose Titus4
1Assistant Professor, Department of Radiodiagnosis, Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India.
2Post-graduate resident, Department of Radiodiagnosis, Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India.
3Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India.
4Professor, Department of Radiodiagnosis, Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India.
Corresponding Author: Danny Jose Titus
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths. Various studies conducted across the world regarding Low Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) screening have demonstrated early detection of lung nodules and reduced mortality. Our study aims to report the findings of LDCT screening for lung nodules over seven years in a tertiary hospital in central Kerala.
Methods: Subjects who underwent LDCT Chest as part of wellness health check-up from January 2017 to December 2023, were evaluated in the study. Images were reviewed for the presence of nodules/ mass and categorized as per Lung-RADS criteria. A positive LDCT screen was defined as a presence of a mass lesion or at least one non-calcified nodule of >/= 6 mm in diameter.
Results: LDCT chest scans of 1500 subjects were included and evaluated in the study. Total screen positivity in the present study included total 96 subjects out of 1500 (3 subjects with mass + 64 subjects with solitary non-calcified nodules + 29 subjects with multiple non-calcified nodules) which accounted for a total positive screen of 6.4%. Subjects were also classified as per Lung-RADS Categories: Category 1 - 84.9%, Category 2 - 8.7%, Category 3 - 3.9%, Category 4 - 2.5%. Even though, most of the subjects with positive screen were lost to follow up; among those who underwent follow-up scans, nodules remained relatively stable in majority. Only two biopsy positive lung cancer was found among the total 1500 subjects screened (0.13%).
Conclusion: LDCT screening has been highly sensitive in the detection of lung nodules. But, in a tuberculosis endemic country like India, results may not be specific for lung cancer with many false positive results. Hence, further detailed study among high-risk subjects with proper follow up must be done for developing necessary guidelines for the use of LDCT screening in India.
Key words: lung cancer, lung nodule screening, Low Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT).