KBC Zagreb Acquires First Photon-Counting CT Worth €3.5 Million
The revolutionary device enables more precise diagnostics with less radiation, and a 3-tesla MRI and other equipment are on the way as part of a €20 million investment.
The revolutionary device enables more precise diagnostics with less radiation, and a 3-tesla MRI and other equipment are on the way as part of a €20 million investment.
The Zagreb University Hospital Centre (KBC Zagreb) has acquired a new computed tomography scanner that operates on the principle of counting individual X-ray photons, known as a photon-counting CT. This is the first device of its kind in Croatian public healthcare, with a value of €3.5 million. The Ministry of Health announced on Thursday, August 6, 2026, that this acquisition represents a significant technological advancement for domestic radiology.
The advantage of the new technology lies in its ability to provide more detailed insights into the body's interior, enabling more precise disease detection while simultaneously reducing the radiation dose to which patients are exposed. The device offers a richer set of information for early diagnosis and aids in more accurately designing treatment plans.
The new CT is particularly suited for diagnosing cardiovascular diseases, tumors, neurological conditions, and pulmonary disorders. It also allows for clearer visualization of extremely small anatomical structures that were difficult to detect on older machines. For instance, during cardiac examinations, it can much more clearly depict narrowing and plaque in the coronary arteries. In cases of suspected malignant diseases, it enables more precise detection of changes that were previously less visible. High image resolution and the ability to better differentiate between various tissue types further enhance diagnostic accuracy.
The director of KBC Zagreb, Fran Borovečki, emphasized that this new technology brings a significant leap in the quality of healthcare and further strengthens the hospital's capacity for diagnosing complex conditions. Minister of Health Irena Hrstić stated that investment in state-of-the-art medical equipment continues without interruption. "We are continuously investing in the most modern medical equipment to ensure citizens have access to top-tier healthcare within the public system," said Minister Hrstić.
The Minister highlighted that the CT acquisition is just one part of a much broader investment cycle for equipping KBC Zagreb, with a total value reaching €20 million. In addition to the new CT scanner, a new-generation 3-tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine will soon arrive at the Clinical Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology. Plans also include the delivery of equipment for imaging blood vessels and performing minimally invasive procedures, as well as a digital X-ray machine with fluoroscopy capability intended for imaging hospitalized patients. The Minister concluded that these investments will further modernize the equipment of the Croatian public healthcare system.
