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Computed tomography (CT) of the thoracic spine is a diagnostic imaging procedure that utilizes advanced X-ray technology to create detailed images of the thoracic region of the spine. This procedure involves the use of multiple, narrow X-ray beams that rotate around a single axis, capturing a series of two-dimensional (2D) images from various angles. The resulting images provide a comprehensive view of the thoracic spine, allowing for the assessment of its structure and any potential abnormalities. In this specific procedure, the initial imaging is performed without the use of contrast material, which is a substance that enhances the visibility of certain areas within the body. Following the initial scans, contrast material is administered to further improve the clarity of the images. This contrast material can help highlight specific areas of interest, making it easier for healthcare professionals to identify issues such as bone diseases, fractures, injuries, or congenital defects in the spine, particularly in pediatric patients. The data collected during the CT scan is processed by computer software, which can generate multiple 2D slices of the thoracic spine. These slices can then be combined to create three-dimensional models, providing a more comprehensive view of the spine's anatomy and any pathological conditions present.
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Computed tomography of the thoracic spine is indicated for various clinical scenarios where detailed imaging is necessary to evaluate the spine's condition. The following are specific indications for performing this procedure:
The procedure for performing a computed tomography scan of the thoracic spine involves several key steps to ensure accurate imaging and patient safety. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the completion of the computed tomography scan of the thoracic spine, the patient may be monitored briefly to ensure there are no immediate adverse reactions to the contrast material, particularly if it was administered intravenously. Patients are typically advised to drink plenty of fluids to help flush the contrast material from their system. The physician will review the images and discuss the findings with the patient, providing necessary follow-up recommendations based on the results of the scan. Any further diagnostic or therapeutic interventions will be determined based on the findings from the CT images.
| Short Descr | CT CHEST SPINE W/O & W/DYE | Medium Descr | CT THORACIC SPINE W/O & W/CONTRAST MATERIAL | Long Descr | Computed tomography, thoracic spine; without contrast material, followed by contrast material(s) and further sections | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services | Multiple Procedures (51) | 4 - Special payment adjustment rules on the technical component (TC) of multiple diagnostic imaging procedures apply... | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 88 - | APC Status Indicator | Codes That May Be Paid Through a Composite APC | ASC Payment Indicator | Radiology service paid separately when provided integral to a surgical procedure on ASC list; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 4 - Diagnostic Radiology | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | I2B - Advanced imaging - CAT/CT/CTA: other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 180 - Other CT scan |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 0722T | Add On Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC S Quantitative computed tomography (CT) tissue characterization, including interpretation and report, obtained with concurrent CT examination of any structure contained in the concurrently acquired diagnostic imaging dataset (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | X5 | Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 77 | Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | CT | Computed tomography services furnished using equipment that does not meet each of the attributes of the national electrical manufacturers association (nema) xr-29-2013 standard | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | MA | Ordering professional is not required to consult a clinical decision support mechanism due to service being rendered to a patient with a suspected or confirmed emergency medical condition | MC | Ordering professional is not required to consult a clinical decision support mechanism due to the significant hardship exception of electronic health record or clinical decision support mechanism vendor issues | ME | The order for this service adheres to appropriate use criteria in the clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional | MF | The order for this service does not adhere to the appropriate use criteria in the clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional | MG | The order for this service does not have applicable appropriate use criteria in the qualified clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional | MH | Unknown if ordering professional consulted a clinical decision support mechanism for this service, related information was not provided to the furnishing professional or provider | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | Ordering professional consulted a qualified clinical decision support mechanism for this service and the related data was provided to the furnishing professional | TC | Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles | X4 | Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2003-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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