Radiology Question for the Week of October 9, 2017

Question:

How would you code the following bone scan study?

“Findings: a focus of increased uptake in the medial left clavicle corresponding with fracture seen on CT. Anterior rib uptake bilaterally is probably due to accidental trauma and similar-appearing Steele bone scan. Right posterior 11th rib lesion is without obvious change. Hip prostheses noted. No definite new bone metastases.  Conclusion: the lesion is in the left medial clavicle corresponds to benign appearing fracture on CT. Stable right posterior 11th rib lesion.”

Answer:

Unless the patient was small, you would probably assign code 78305 (bone and/or joint imaging; multiple areas). The doctor does say, “No definite new bone metastases” but does not indicate that the whole skeleton was imaged for a whole body scan.

If all of this (clavicle to hip) can be seen in one field of view then it would be limited (78300), but if the camera had to be moved to image all of that area, it would be multiple areas.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

CPT® copyright 2023 American Medical Association (AMA). All rights reserved.

Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein.

CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.

Happy World Health Day! Our exclusive webcast, ‘2024 SDoH Update: Navigating Coding and Screening Assessment,’  is just $99 for a limited time! Use code WorldHealth24 at checkout.

SPRING INTO SAVINGS! Get 21% OFF during our exclusive two-day sale starting 3/21/2024. Use SPRING24 at checkout to claim this offer. Click here to learn more →