Value of thorax screening with low-dose spiral computed tomography

Objective:To evaluate the thorax screening examined by low-dose spiral computed tomography.Methods:One thousand nine hundred and fifty-three individuals underwent thorax scanning with low-dose spiral computed tomography.Lesions of lung,vessels,chest walKsoft tissue and bone),upper abdomen were studied.Results:Among 1953 cases,304 cases were found with noncalcified pulmonary nodules(NCN),21 cases(6.9%) had a nodule-associated malignancy,20 cases(95%)were found to be early-stage lung cancers;275 cases were detected with coronary artery calcification,positive rate was 14.1%;371 cases with aortic calcification,positive rate was 19.0%.We also found 56 cases with hyperostosis of thoracic vertebrae,8 cases with compression fracture of thoracic vertebrae,1 case with breast cancer,23 cases with fatty liver,10 cases with hepatic cyst.Conclusion:Low-dose spiral computed tomography can not only detect early-stage lung cancers,but also find coronary artery calcification,aortic calcification,and diseases of chest wall,upper abdomen.One thorax CT examination has the potentiality to be used as a comprehensive screening tool for many organ diseases with clinical significance.