Chapter 14

64831, 64832

A 15 year-old is taken to surgery for crushing his index and middle fingers and injuring his digital nerves. The provider located the damaged nerves in both fingers and sutures them to restore sensory function. What CPT® codes are reported?

62270 Rationale: In the CPT® Index look for Puncture/Spinal Cord/Diagnostic or Spinal Tap/Lumbar. 62270 is the correct code because a spinal puncture was performed in the lumbar region (L4 and L5). It was done to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid for testing to determine if the patient had meningitis (diagnostic).

A 26 year-old patient presents with headache, neck pain and fever and is concerned he may have meningitis. The patient was placed in the sitting position and given 0.5 mg Ativan IV. His back was prepped and a 20-gauge needle punctured the spine between L4 and L5 with the return of clear fluid. The cerebrospinal fluid was reviewed and showed no sign of meningitis. What CPT® code is reported?

G89.11, M54.2 Rationale: The scenario documents the patient has acute neck pain due to an MVA accident (trauma). In the ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index look for Pain(s)/acute/due to/trauma directing you to code G89.11. ICD-10-CM coding guideline I.C.6.b.1.(ii) indicates that codes from G89 are reported as the primary code if the encounter is for pain control or pain management and may be used in conjunction with codes identifying the site of pain. In the Alphabetic Index locate Pain/neck NEC and you're directed to M54.2. In the Tabular List, code M54.2 is Cervicalgia which is the medical term for neck pain.

A 27 year-old had an MVA accident a couple days ago and sees his primary care physician for pain management for acute pain in his neck since the accident. Select the ICD-10-CM code(s).

61154

A 35 year-old male has a left chronic subdural hematoma. He will undergo a left burr hole evacuation of the hematoma. What CPT® code is reported for this surgery?

63030-50, 69990

A 36 year-old male suffered back pain after heavy lifting and was found to have bilateral disc herniation. The patient was placed prone and general anesthesia given. Incision was then made with a 10-blade knife and dissection was carried downward through the thick adipose tissue to the fascia in a subperiosteal plane. The paraspinous muscles were reflected off L5 and S1. A laminotomy was drilled with the Midas Tex AMB on the inferior end of L5. The thecal sac was retracted medially. The microscope was brought in, direct with microdissection there was a massive disk herniation on the right side underneath the nerve root as well as the left. The disc was incised with an 11-blade knife and was cleaned out with a series of straight and angled curettes and rongeurs. The disc was intertwined with the posterior longitudinal ligament. The space was cleaned out, the foramina were checked and no further compression was found on any of the neural elements. What CPT® codes are reported for this procedure?

C73, E07.0

A 42 year-old male with thyroid cancer is admitted to the hospital for hypersecretion of calcitonin (functional activity) caused by the cancer. Choose the ICD-10-CM code(s) to report.

64721-53

A 45 year-old female has carpal tunnel syndrome. A neuroplasty is performed on her left wrist. During the surgery the patient's blood pressure starts dropping and the surgeon decides to stop the operation. How should the procedure be reported?

63085-62, 63086-62 x 2

A 47 year-old female presents to the OR for a partial corpectomy to three thoracic vertebrae. One surgeon performs the transthoracic approach while another surgeon performs the three vertebral nerve root decompressions necessary. How should each provider involved code their portion of the surgery?

95955-26

A 50 year-old with left internal carotid artery stenosis presents for a left carotid thromboendarterectomy with electroencephalogram monitoring. Electroencephalogram (EEG) leads were placed on his head prior to surgery. Throughout the procedure, EEG patterns were symmetrical. What CPT® code is reported for this EEG Monitoring?

61867

A 55 year-old man presents with uncontrolled tremors that have become quite severe and are now disabling. A trial of a deep brain stimulator electrode is recommended. The patient is placed in the head holder adapter for the frame. The scalp is incised exposing the skull using a perforator to make a single burr hole 2.5 cm from the midline at the level of the coronal suture exposing the dura and is punctured for access. Microelectrode recording (MER) and stimulation is done to target and reposition the electrodes to determine the best placement for the neurostimulator electrode. The neurostimulator electrode array is placed in the thalamus and fastened into position with radiographic image monitoring placement. The lead is coiled in a pocket under the galea, which is sutured closed, followed by skin closure. What CPT® code is reported?

62362, 62350-51

A 59 year-old female with failed back syndrome has undergone a recent test dose of intrathecal narcotics with good pain response. She is brought to the operating room for preparation and insertion of Medtronic programmable pain pump and intrathecal catheter. What CPT® codes are reported for this surgery?

62258-78

A 6 week-old baby had a cerebrospinal fluid shunt placed two days ago. The shunt is not draining the excess CSF and the baby is returning to the OR for shunt removal and replacement by the same surgeon who placed the original shunt. What CPT® code is reported for this surgery?

E10.52

A 65 year-old patient with type 1 diabetes may need left lower leg amputation due to diabetic gangrene. Select the ICD-10-CM code(s) to report.

62270

A college student goes to the ER with symptoms of headache and high fever for the past two days. A Lumbar Puncture is performed and spinal fluid is sent to the lab to check for meningitis. What CPT® code is reported for this surgery?

57

A neurosurgeon was called to the ER to examine a young child hit by a car. The neurosurgeon examines the patient with a diagnosis of a subdural hematoma and takes the child to the OR. Which modifier is appended to the Evaluation and Management service?

60220 Rationale: The patient had a unilateral thyroidectomy. Because only the right side is removed, it is a total unilateral (partial) thyroidectomy. In the CPT® Index look for Thyroidectomy/Partial directing you to code range 60210-60225. 60220 reports a unilateral total thyroid lobectomy with or without isthmusectomy.

A patient has a right thyroid lobectomy for a thyroid follicular lesion. An incision is made 2 cm above the sternal notch and carried through the platysma. The right thyroid was dissected free from the surrounding tissues. The isthmus was divided from the left thyroid lobe. The left thyroid lobe was explored revealing a single nodule. The right thyroid lobe was completely removed from the trachea and surrounding tissues. It was marked and sent off the table as a specimen. What CPT® code is reported?

63005 Rationale: Only a laminectomy with decompression is performed. There is no documentation to indicate a facetectomy, foraminotomy, or discectomy was performed. Look in the CPT Index for Laminectomy/for Decompression/Lumbar or Decompression/Spinal Cord. Verify code selection in the Nervous System section.

A patient has severe spinal stenosis between L3-L5 inferior to disc space. A laminectomy is performed on L4 along with a decompression of L3-L4 and L4-L5. What CPT® code is reported for this surgery?

64885, 69990, S04.51XA

A patient is diagnosed with an injury to the right side facial nerve. In the OR suite the surgeon performs a neurorrhaphy with nerve graft to restore innervation to the face using microscopic repair. The surgeon created a 2 cm incision over the damaged nerve, dissected the tissues and located the nerve. The damaged nerve was resected and removed. The 3.0 cm graft taken from the sural nerve was sutured to the proximal and distal ends of the damaged nerve. What CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes are reported?

63056, 63057

A patient is having a decompression of the nerve root involving two segments of the lumbar spine via transpedicular approach. What CPT® code(s) is/are reported?

G89.21, M54.2

A patient is receiving pain management treatment for chronic cervical pain caused by a motor vehicle accident. What ICD-10-CM code(s) and sequencing is/are reported?

64493-50, 64494-50, 64495-50, M54.5 Rationale: In the CPT® Index, look for Injection/Paravertebral Facet Joint/Nerve with Image Guidance directing you to 64490-64495. Code selection is based on the location of the spine (lumbar) and the levels injected. Modifier 50 is appended since it is bilateral. In the ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index look for Pain/lumbar region and you are directed to M54.5. Verification in the Tabular List confirms code selection.

A patient receives a paravertebral facet joint injection at three levels on both sides of the lumbar spine using fluoroscopic guidance for lumbalgia. What CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes are reported?

99212-24 Rationale: Even though the patient is in a post-operative period from surgery, the physician can bill this E/M visit and append modifier 24. The examination is unrelated to the nerve repair surgery. Modifiers 55 and 54 are only appended to surgical procedure codes not Evaluation and Management services.

A patient sees her physician for follow-up of a repaired damaged nerve to her finger. During the visit she tells the doctor she fell and hit her little toe this morning; now it is red and swollen, and she wants to make sure it's not broken. The physician examines the toe and reassures her it is not fractured. The doctor also examines the finger which is healing well with no infection. Select the Evaluation and Management service for this visit.

60500, E31.21

A patient with MEN1 (Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia 1) has surgery to remove three of her parathyroid glands and part of the fourth parathyroid gland. What CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes are reported?

60650, D35.01 Rationale: In the CPT® Index look under Adrenalectomy/Laparoscopic and you are directed to 50545. 50545 is for a Radical Nephrectomy which includes an adrenalectomy. If you look for Adrenal Gland/Excision/Laparoscopy you are directed to 60650 which is listed as transabdominal, lumbar or dorsal, so this is the correct code choice. In the ICD-10-CM Table of Neoplasms look for Neoplasm, neoplastic/adrenal and select from the Benign column and you are directed to D35.0-. In the Tabular List the 5th character selection determines laterality, reporting 1 for the right side.

A patient with a right side, benign adrenal adenoma has a laparoscopic adrenalectomy. What CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes are reported?

62273, G97.1

A patient with a status post (after or following) lumbar puncture headache receives an epidural blood patch. The patient's venous blood is injected into the lumbar epidural space; this blood forms a clot sealing the leak of CSF from the lumbar puncture. What CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes are reported?

62322

A patient with chronic lumbago is seen by the provider to have an epidural injection of a non-neurolytic substance at the sacral level. What CPT® code is reported for this procedure?

60500, E21.0

A patient with primary hyperparathyroidism undergoes parathyroid sestamibi (nuclear medicine scan) and ultrasound and is found to have only one diseased parathyroid. A minimally invasive parathyroidectomy is performed. What CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes are reported for the surgery?

CPT: 60220 ICD: E04.1

CASE 1 PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Right thyroid follicular lesion. POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Right thyroid follicular lesion.(Diagnosis to report if no further detail is found in the note.) OPERATIVE PROCEDURE: Right thyroid lobectomy.(Planned procedure. Review the operative report to verify this is the procedure performed.) FINDINGS: A large thyroid mass in the inferior aspect of the right thyroid.(The findings confirm the diagnosis.) The right recurrent laryngeal nerve was identified intact and there were bilateral movements of vocal cords post procedure. DESCRIPTION OF OPERATIVE PROCEDURE: The patient was identified and taken to the operating room. She was placed in a supine reverse Trendelenburg position on the operating table. Once adequate sedation was given, the patient was intubated. The neck was prepped and draped in a standard surgical fashion. Using a #15 blade, a linear incision was made approximately 2.0 cm above the sternal notch. This incision was carried through subcutaneous tissues and through the platysma until the anterior jugular veins were identified. Superior and inferior flaps were then created using electrocautery. A midline incision was then made separating the strap muscles. Once the thyroid was encountered, the right thyroid lobe was dissected free from the surrounding tissues. Using the harmonic scalpel, the superior, medial and inferior vessels were divided. Using the harmonic scalpel, the isthmus was then divided free from the right thyroid lobe. The recurrent laryngeal nerve on the right side was identified and not touched during the case. The right thyroid lobe was explored revealing a single nodule. The right thyroid was then completely removed (This confirms the right thyroid lobectomy.) from the trachea and the surrounding tissues. It was marked and sent off the table as a specimen. The cavity was then irrigated with saline and hemostasis was achieved using electrocautery. The fascia and the strap muscles were then approximated using 3-0 Vicryl suture and a drain was placed into the cavity, exiting the left aspect of the incision. The platysma was then reapproximated using 3-0 Vicryl suture. The skin was then reapproximated using 4-0 Monocryl suture in running subcuticular closure and covered with Dermabond. By the end of the procedure, the sponge, needle, and instrument counts were correct. The patient was extubated observing bilateral movement of the vocal cords. What are the CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes reported?

CPT: 63042-LT ICD: M54.16, M48.07

CASE 10 PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Left L5 radiculopathy; left L5-S1 neural foraminal stenosis. POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Left L5 radiculopathy; left L5-S1 neural foraminal stenosis. PROCEDURE PERFORMED: L5-S1 hemilaminectomy with left foraminotomy; microsurgical technique. ANESTHESIA: General endotracheal. ESTIMATED BLOOD LOSS: 25 ml. SPECIMENS: None. DRAINS: None. COMPLICATIONS: None. INDICATIONS: This woman has a history of left lower extremity L5 radicular pain. She has had previous surgery in the lumbar region for a herniated disc. Her preoperative exam was remarkable for subjective complaints in an L5 pattern on the left. Her MRI scan showed high-grade neural foraminal narrowing on the left due to facet arthropathy. Based on these findings, treatment options were discussed including ongoing conservative therapy and surgical intervention. After contemplating alternatives, the patient elected to proceed with surgery. DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE: After extensive preoperative counseling, informed consent was obtained. The patient was brought to the operating room, intubated, placed under general anesthesia, and positioned in the prone position. A wide area of the lumbar region was prepped and draped in standard fashion. A midline incision was marked overlying the L5-S1 spinous processes and infiltrated with 0.5% Marcaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine. A standard surgical timeout was performed wherein the patient was identified and the surgical site and procedure were confirmed. Preoperative dose of antibiotics was administered IV. The skin was incised and subcutaneous bleeding points were controlled. The subcutaneous fat was transgressed to the lumbodorsal fascia, which was incised in the midline from the top of the spinous process of L5 through the bottom of the spinous process of S1. Paraspinous musculature was elevated subperiosteally and reflected laterally towards the patient's left. A high speed osteotome was used to create a trailing edge laminotomy of L5 and a leading edge laminotomy of S1, encompassing the medial third of the facet complex. Microscope was then employed for magnification and i1iumination. A variety of curettes and rongeurs were then used to complete the laminotomy. The bone resection was carried laterally until the medial edge of the pedicle was encountered. As the bone resection and ligamentous resection was conducted, a large fragment of synovium type material with admixed scar tissue was extracted, resulting in marked decompression of the thecal sac and root sleeve. A probe could then be admitted through the neural foramen. For this aspect of the procedure, the microscope was utilized for magnification and illumination. A confirmatory x-ray was obtained with the probe inserted through the L5-S1 foramen, both the L5 and S1 root sleeves were directly visualized and were completely without impingement. Hemostasis was achieved with bipolar coagulation. A bulging of the disc was appreciated, but the decision was made to forego a discectomy. A pledget of fat was harvested from the subcutaneous tissue and tucked in the laminotomy defect. A layered closure was then conducted using interrupted 0 Vicryl sutures. The lumbodorsal fascia was closed using interrupted 0 Vicryl sutures in watertight fashion. The skin was closed using interrupted buried subcuticular 3-0 Vicryl sutures followed by Mastisol and Steri-Strips. Sterile dressing was applied. The patient was aroused from anesthesia and extubated without difficulty. All final needle and sponge counts were correct. There were no perioperative complications. What are the CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes reported?

CPT: 60225 ICD: C73

CASE 2 PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Papillary thyroid cancer. POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Papillary thyroid cancer.(Diagnosis to report if no further positive findings are found in the note.) OPERATIVE PROCEDURE: Near total thyroidectomy.(Procedure planned. Review the body of the operative report to verify this is the procedure performed.) ANESTHESIA: General endotracheal. FINDINGS: Nodular right thyroid with parathyroids visualized. ESTIMATED BLOOD LOSS: Approximately 100 cc. DESCRIPTION OF OPERATIVE PROCEDURE: The patient was identified and taken to the operating room. She was placed in the supine position on the operating table. Once adequate sedation was given, the patient was intubated. A towel was placed behind the patient's shoulder blades and the neck slightly extended. The neck was prepped and draped in the standard surgical fashion. Using a #15 blade, the patient's old incision was excised. The incision was carried down through subcutaneous tissue. The superior and inferior flaps were created and using electrocautery, a midline incision was made. Once the strap muscles were identified, using blunt dissection, a plane was developed in between the strap muscle, and the right thyroid. The right thyroid appeared nodular. Using blunt dissection and electrocautery, the right thyroid lobe was freed from surrounding tissues and removed.(The patient's right thyroid lobe was removed.) Using the harmonic scalpel, two-thirds of the left thyroid lobe and the isthmus were removed, sparing the parathyroids and staying clear of the recurrent laryngeal nerve.(Two-thirds of the patient's left thyroid lobe and isthmus were removed.) Once this was completed, hemostasis was achieved using electrocautery and Surgicel. Due to some bleeding around the parathyroid glands, Gelfoam and thrombin were placed over this area and the bleeding subsided. A round JP drain was then placed around the remaining thyroid tissue. The strap muscles were reapproximated using interrupted 3-0 Vicryl suture, the platysma was reapproximated using interrupted 3-0 Vicryl suture, and the skin was reapproximated using 4-0 Monocryl suture in an interrupted fashion and covered with Dermabond. By the end of the procedure, the sponge, needle, and instrument counts were correct. The patient was then transferred to the recovery room in stable condition. What are the CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes reported?

CPT: 60252 ICD: C73

CASE 3 PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Papillary carcinoma of the left thyroid (Diagnosis to report if no further positive findings are found in the note.) Lymph nodes exhibiting metastasis (This is a working diagnosis. The lymph node exhibited signs of metastasis and was sent for pathologic testing. There is otherwise no confirmation of this status in the record.) PROCEDURE: Approximately 85% thyroidectomy (subtotal) (This is the procedure planned. Read the body of the operative report to verify this is the procedure performed.) INDICATIONS: The patient is a 43 year-old white female patient who was referred with a history of having been diagnosed in the fall of 20XX with a papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.(Confirmation of the diagnosis is reflected in the body of the report.) Thyroidectomy had been recommended to her; however, because she had no insurance, it became quite obvious that she was going to have a difficult time being cared for in another state where she was at the time. She returned to this area and came to the office. We completed her workup including PET scan, sestamibi scan for metastatic disease, etc. I recommended to her that we proceed with a subtotal thyroidectomy, and resect 85% of the thyroid. However, if we could isolate any parathyroids and preserve them, then we would do a total thyroidectomy. She appears to understand and is amenable to this and is willing to proceed. PROCEDURE: The patient was placed on the operating room table in the supine position, neck slightly hyperextended and the table tilted in reverse Trendelenburg. The neck and anterior chest were prepped and draped in the usual sterile fashion. The incision was to be made two fingerbreadths above the sternal notch. Actually there was a fold in her skin at this level and we simply followed this natural fold from the anterior border of the left sternocleidomastoid around to the anterior border on the right. This was deepened down through the subcutaneous tissue and the platysma muscle. Flaps were then created both superior and inferior to the incision, inferiorly to the sternal notch and superiorly well over and above the thyroid cartilage. At this point, it was quite apparent that the left lobe of the thyroid was rock hard, an entirely different feel from that of the right lobe. We began on the left side with mobilization of the inferior pole. Vessels were serially clamped, cut, and ligated on the left lobe side of the thyroid. Sutures were placed for traction at the point of clamping, staying inside these vessels. The vessels were closed with a suture ligature of 3-0 silk. As the thyroid was mobilized, the recurrent laryngeal nerve was identified and avoided throughout the course of the dissection. There was a small lymph node attached to the side of the gland (The lymph node attached to the gland was removed.) which appeared to be metastatic disease. This was obviously included with the specimen sent to pathology for confirmation. We also removed several enlarged lymph nodes. (Several large lymph nodes were removed.) The inferior pole was entirely mobilized, and then the middle thyroid vessels were dealt with as well, staying well away from the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Then the superior pole vessels were likewise clamped, cut, and ligated. This allowed us to divide the isthmus on the right lobe side of the midline and then remove the left lobe (The left lobe was removed.) without difficulty. There was one small bleeding vessel on or immediately adjacent to the recurrent laryngeal nerve; therefore, a Surgicel packing was applied to this area and bleeding was controlled. Then dissection began on the right side where we encountered a lesion toward the trachea which was half the size of a yellow pencil eraser and could have passed for a parathyroid. Biopsies of this were taken; however they returned simply fatty tissues.(Lesion biopsy was negative for cancer.) We mobilized the right lobe of the thyroid and left approximately 10% of the right lobe of the thyroid intact (Part of the right lobe was removed.) at the superior end of the right thyroid lobe. When the portion of the lobe was amputated, we controlled the bleeding from the raw edge of the thyroid with multiple suture ligatures of 3-0 silk. Once hemostasis was secure, the procedure was terminated. Hemostasis was secure throughout the wound. A 10mm Jackson-Pratt drain was placed through a separate stab wound and left to lay in the midline or slightly to the left of the midline in the thyroid cavity. Strap muscles were closed in the midline with multiple interrupted figure-of-eight sutures of 2-0 Vicryl. The platysma muscle was closed with 2-0 Vicryl and the skin closed with a continuous running subcuticular closure of 3-0 Monocryl. Dermabond was applied to the wound, and the drain secured with a 0 silk and a small gauze dressing. Prior to leaving the operating room, the patient was extubated and with the help of the anesthesia personnel, the glide scope was inserted into the hypopharynx and the larynx and vocal cords visualized, showing symmetric movement of the cords. This was confirmed by multiple observers. The procedure was terminated. The patient tolerated the procedure well and she was taken to the recovery area in stable condition. Estimated blood loss was 80 cc. Sponge and needle counts were correct times two. What are the CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes reported?

CPT: 62223 ICD: G91.3

CASE 4 Code for the Primary Surgeon Only PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus. POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus.(Diagnosis to report if no further positive findings are found in the note.) OPERATION: 1. Insertion of left frontal ventriculoperitoneal shunt. 2. Removal of right frontal external ventricular drain.(These are procedures planned; however, there is no documentation to support the removal.) Primary surgeon and assistant surgeon used. Anesthesia: General endotracheal. OPERATIVE INDICATION: Patient is an 8-year-old boy who suffered a significant head trauma with intraventricular hemorrhage. He previously had an external ventricular drain placed. He failed clamp trial.(What the initial surgery was and the reason for the procedure being performed.) Plan was made for permanent shunt implantation.(Even though this was a planned procedure following the patient's failed clamp trial, the initial procedure has no global days.) The risks and benefits of surgery were discussed in detail with the patient and family. Risks include bleeding, infection, stroke, paralysis, seizure, coma, and death. All questions were answered in detail. I believe the patient and family understand the risks and benefits of surgery and wish to proceed. OPERATIVE ACCOUNT: Patient was brought in the operating room and placed under general endotracheal anesthesia. His head was turned to the right, and a shoulder roll was placed. He was then clipped, prepped, and draped in the usual sterile fashion. Using the micropoint electrocautery, a half-moon incision was carried out over the patient's left coronal suture at the mid-pupillary line. The galea was divided and the scalp flap retracted. A second incision was created above and behind the pinna of the ear. Attention was turned to the abdomen where a 2-cm incision was carried out just to the left and superior to the umbilicus. Using the micropoint electrocautery, subcutaneous dissection was carried down to the superficial rectus fascia. The fascia was secured with hemostats, elevated, and opened sharply in a vertical fashion. This allowed dissection of the underlying muscular fibers. We then secured the deep rectus fascia with hemostats, elevated this, and opened this sharply. The underlying peritoneum was visible. This was secured and opened, allowing easy passage of a #4 Penfield into the peritoneal cavity.(Peritoneal access for the ventriculo-peritoneal shunt.) A subcutaneous tunneler was then used to bring a Medtronic BioGlide catheter from the abdominal to the retroauricular incisions. This was then brought to the anterior incision. It was secured to the distal end of the Medtronic Delta valve, performance level 1, with 3-0 silk tie. The Midas perforator was then used to create a burr hole.(A burr hole was created, but it is included in placement of the shunt.) The brain needle was then placed to the dura and electrocautery applied, creating a small durotomy, through which the brain needle was advanced. This was advanced into the ventricle (Ventricular access for the ventriculo-peritoneal shunt.) with excellent return of cerebrospinal fluid under elevated pressure. We observed slightly stiff ependymal walls at the time of passage. The brain needles were removed and a new Medtronic BioGlide ventricular catheter was advanced down this track with excellent return of cerebrospinal fluid. This catheter was trimmed and secured to the proximal end of the valve with 3-0 silk suture. (Insertion of the ventricular portion of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt.) Spontaneous flow of cerebrospinal fluid was observed at the distal end of the peritoneal catheter prior to placement within the peritoneum. All wounds were then thoroughly irrigated with vancomycin-containing saline, and 1 ml of vancomycin-containing saline was injected into the bulb of the shunt. At the two cranial incisions, the galea was reapproximated with inverted 3-0 Vicryl suture. Skin edges were approximated with a running 5-0 Monocryl stitch. At the abdominal incision, the peritoneum and deep rectus fascia were closed with a 3-0 Vicryl pursestring. Superficial rectus fascia was closed with interrupted 3-0 Vicryl suture. Subcutaneous tissue was reapproximated with interrupted and inverted 3-0 Vicryl suture. Skin edges were reapproximated with a running 5-0 Monocryl stitch. That wound was washed and dried, and a sterile dressing was applied. At the cranial wound, the patient's hair was shampooed and bacitracin ointment applied to the wounds. The patient was awakened, extubated, and taken to the recovery room in stable condition. What are the CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes reported for the primary surgeon?

CPT: 61322 ICD: I61.9

CASE 5 OPERATION PERFORMED: Right-sided decompressive hemicraniectomy with duraplasty.(This is the planned operation. Review the operative report to confirm it is the procedure performed.) COMPLICATIONS: None. ANESTHESIA: General endotracheal. ESTIMATED BLOOD LOSS: Approximately 400 ml INDICATIONS: is a 56 year-old male with significant past medical history who came in this evening with an ischemic infarct(Ischemic infarct is the initial diagnosis.) to his right MCA(MCA is the middle cerebral artery.) territory which converted to hemorrhagic(The infarct converted to a hemorrhage.) transformation. The significant shift was following commands on the right side and hemiplegia on the left side. After a thorough discussion with the family, we explained to them that this would be a life-saving procedure and we could not ensure that there would be any further neurological improvement from the state that he was in. They understood these risks and wanted to proceed ahead. OPERATION PERFORMED: After informed consent was obtained, the patient was taken to the operating room and induced under general endotracheal anesthesia without incident. TEE monitor was placed due to the patient's significant cardiac history. At this point, a roll was placed underneath the right shoulder and the head was placed in a horseshoe reverse question mark. This area was sterilely prepped and draped in usual fashion. A #10 blade was used to make an incision sharply. Raney clips were applied to the skin edges. The temporalis fascia and muscle were then resected with the cutaneous flap anteriorly. This was done until the keyhole could be identified. The musculocutaneous flap was then retracted with towel hooks, rubber bands and Allis clamps. The perforator was then used to make several burr holes (approximately six) and a footplate was then applied to perform the hemicraniectomy.(Documentation supports performance of the hemicraniectomy.) We ensured that we were off midline to make certain that we did not get into the sagittal sinus or any draining veins associated with this. Once the bone was removed, hemostasis was obtained, the dura was opened in the C-shaped fashion. and a large piece of Durepair was placed underneath this. There was a small subdural clot which was also evacuated and the large piece of Durepair was then used to create a duraplasty.(The performance of the duraplasty is described.) This was stitched in several points with 4.0 nylon. Hemovac was then tunneled through as well. At this point, the galea and the temporalis fascia were then reapproximated with 0 Vicryl in interrupted fashion, and the overlying galea was reapproximated with 0 Vicryl in interrupted fashion. The overlying skin was closed with staples and the Hemovac drain was secured with 2-0 nylon. At the end of the case, all counts of the needles and sponges were correct. What are the CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes reported?

CPT: 63685 ICD: T85.113A

CASE 6 PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Dorsal column stimulator generator malfunction. POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Dorsal column stimulator generator malfunction. PROCEDURE PERFORMED: Replacement of dorsal column stimulator generator. ATTENDING: John Smith, MD ANESTHESIA: Monitored anesthetic coverage with local. ESTIMATED BLOOD LOSS: Less than 5 ml SPECIMENS: None. DRAINS: None. COMPLICATIONS: None. IMPLANTS: Medtronics prime advanced nonreconstructable generator. INDICATIONS: This woman has a dorsal column stimulator in place and has benefited from the therapy. Her current device has a complication in which it began malfunctioning approximately a month prior to this procedure and she has gradually noticed declining effectiveness. The device was interrogated approximately a week prior to this procedure and no telemetry was obtained, indicating a breakdown of the battery. On this basis, revision of the device was offered and accepted. PROCEDURE IN BRIEF: After extensive preoperative counseling, informed consent was obtained. The patient was brought to the operating room and positioned on the table in the left lateral decubitus position. Sedation was induced and a dose of IV antibiotics was administered. A wide area of the right lateral flank region surrounding her existing scar was prepped and draped in standard fashion and infiltrated with 0.5% Marcaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine. The skin was incised. The pouch housing the existing generator was entered. This was explanted and a new prime advanced generator was prepared. The leads were disconnected from the old generator and connected to the new generator in the same orientation. An impedance test was performed, which yielded acceptable results. The generator was implanted and secured to the fascia using 0 Ethibond suture. The wound was irrigated copiously and closed in layers using interrupted 0 and 3-0 Vicryl sutures followed by Mastisol and Steri-Strips to reapproximate the skin. Sterile dressing was applied. The patient was aroused from sedation and taken to the recovery area in good condition. All final needle arid sponge counts were correct. There were no apparent complications. What are the CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes reported?

CPT: 61312 ICD: S06.4X0A, V89.2XXA

CASE 7 PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Acute epidural hematoma POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: As above ANESTHETIC AGENT: General Endotracheal OPERATION: Left craniotomy for evacuation of epidural hematoma (emergent) INDICATIONS: The patient presented with a history of a motor vehicle accident. He presented to the emergency department neurologically intact. An urgent CT scan revealed a large epidural hematoma and the patient was taken emergently to the operating room for evacuation. PROCEDURE/TECHNIQUES/DESCRIPTION OF FINDINGS/CONDITION OF PATIENT: The patient was brought to the operating room and after induction of adequate general anesthesia, was prepped and draped in the usual sterile fashion for a left frontotemporal parietal craniotomy. A curvilinear incision was made beginning just anterior to the left ear, curving posteriorly, then upward and anteriorly, to and at the hair line just off the midline. The resulting musculocutaneous flap was then reflected anteriorly. Multiple burr holes were then placed and connected using the high-speed drill to create a large free bone flap. This was removed from the immediate operative field. Directly beneath the bone flap was a large well-formed clot which delivered itself from the epidural space. A bleeding point was found in the region of the middle meningeal artery. This was carefully and thoroughly coagulated using bipolar cauterization. A small opening was then made in the dura to ensure that there was not an underlying blood clot. There was not. This opening was primarily closed using 4-0 Nurolon. Additional meticulous hemostasis was then obtained. The bone flap was then replaced and held in place using multiple K LS fixation devices. Skin was then reapproximated using 2-0 Vicryl for the subcutaneous tissues and 5-0 Monocryl for the skin. The patient was then awakened from anesthesia at which time his vital signs were stable and he was neurologically improved from preoperatively. ESTIMATED BLOOD LOSS: 100 cc SPECIMENS: None LABS ORDERED: None DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES ORDERED: None COMPLICATIONS: None What are the CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes reported?

CPT: 64493-50, 64494-50 ICD: M51.36

CASE 8 PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSES: 1. LOW BACK PAIN. 2. DEGENERATIVE LUMBAR DISC. POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSES: 1. LOW BACK PAIN. 2. DEGENERATIVE LUMBAR DISC. PERFORMED: Bilateral Paravertebral facet joint injection of steroid at the L3-L4 and L4-L5 with fluoroscopic guidance. DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE: The patient was transferred to the operative suite and placed in the prone position with a pillow under the abdomen. A smooth IV sedation was given with midazolam and fentanyl. The patient's back was prepped with Betadine in a sterile fashion, and we used lidocaine, 1% plain as a local anesthetic at the injection site. With the use of fluoroscopic assistance, first to the right and then to the left 20-degrees, the scotty-dog view was identified, and we were able to place the spinal 22-gauge needle, first to the right L3-L4, then to the right L4-L5, then to the left L3-L4, and then to the left L4-L5. We used a lateral x-ray to assess the proper placement of the needle. We proceeded to inject a mixture of 4 ml of 0.25% Marcaine plain plus 80 mg of methylprednisolone divided between the four joints. The needles were removed. The patient's back was cleaned, and a Band-Aid was applied. The patient was transferred to the recovery area with no apparent procedural complications. What are the CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes reported?

CPT: 63030-50 ICD: M48.061

CASE 9 PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Spinal stenosis at L4-L5 POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Spinal stenosis at L4-L5 OPERATION PERFORMED: Right L4-5 lamino OPERATION PERFORMED: L4-L5 laminotomy, right foraminotomy, bilateral decompression of the lateral recess OPERATIVE ANESTHESIA: General endotracheal tube anesthesia. ESTIMATED BLOOD LOSS: Minimal. OPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS: None apparent. OPERATIVE FINDINGS: Tight stenosis at L4-5 from ligament hypertrophy and facet arthropathy. OPERATIVE INDICATIONS: The patient is a 51‑year‑old gentleman. He has had ongoing lower extremity pain with numbness and tingling on the right side more so than the left side. He has had paresthesias. He has had progressive loss of strength. He has had very little back pain, however. The patient is brought to the operating room for operative decompression following an MRI scan that showed tight spinal stenosis at L4-5, having failed conservative measures to date. DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE: The patient was given 1 gm of Kefzol preoperatively. He was taken to the operating room where he underwent general endotracheal tube anesthesia without complications. All appropriate anesthetic monitors and lines were placed. He was placed prone onto a Wilson frame which was padded in the usual fashion. All pressure points were checked and padded appropriately. The patient's back was then outlined with a marking pen through the L4-5 level in a vertical direction. He was then prepped using Prevail solution and allowed to dry. He was draped using sterile technique. Marcaine 0.25% with 1:200,000 units of epinephrine was instilled in the proposed incision for a total of 10 cc of injection. Using a #10 blade scalpel, a vertical midline incision was made. The soft tissues were dissected down to the thoracolumbar fascia using Bovie coagulation. The fascia was incised on the right hand side and the paraspinal muscles were stripped off the lamina and spinous processes of L4 and L5 on the right. A self-retaining Taylor retractor was placed into the wound and intraoperative fluoroscopy revealed the L4-5 level. The soft tissue in the interlaminar space was then resected with a rongeur. The ligamentum flavum was resected with Kerrison punches and cervical curets. The laminotomy was performed on the superior aspect of L5 and the undersurface of L4. The laminotomy was taken out to the medial edge of the right pedicle. A foraminotomy was performed with a #3 Kerrison punch for the exiting right L5 nerve root. The lateral recess was now decompressed. The disc was inspected and found not to be ruptured. We then decompressed the patient's left side by slightly depressing the thecal sac with cottonoids and under-cutting the interspinous ligament with Kerrison punches so that the right lateral recess was also decompressed from overgrowth of the ligamentum flavum. The wound was copiously irrigated using warm bacitracin solution. Depo-Medrol 40 mg in 1 cc was placed epidurally. A piece of Gelfoam was placed over the laminotomy defect to try to preserve the epidural space, and the wound was ready for closure. During all areas of closure, bacitracin irrigation was used in copious amounts. The fascia was closed with #0 Vicryl in an interrupted fashion. The subcutaneous tissue was closed with #3‑0 Vicryl in an interrupted fashion. The skin was closed with #4‑0 Vicryl in an interrupted fashion to the subcuticular space. Steri-Strips were placed on the wound. A sterile dressing was placed. The patient was taken to the recovery room in stable condition with sponge and needle counts correct times three. What are the CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes reported?

One code is used to report diabetes with peripheral angiopathy; the gangrene is not reported separately.

In ICD-10-CM which statement is TRUE regarding type I diabetes with peripheral angiopathy with gangrene?

64493-50, 64494-50 Rationale: Codes for the injection of an anesthetic and/or steroid are selected based on the location and number of levels. In the CPT® Index look for Injection/Paravertebral Facet Joint/Nerve/with Image Guidance directing you to 64490-64495. Code 64493 is for injection of the lumbar, single level L3-L4; and 64494 is the add-on code for the additional level L4-L5. Modifier 50 Bilateral Procedure is appended to both codes as the injection was on both sides.

Mrs. Marsden slipped on the ice last winter and fractured several lumbar vertebrae. Since then she has required pain management therapy at her local hospital with an anesthesiologist. He performs a therapeutic injection of 5% Marcaine mixed with the steroid Decadron (16mg) into the nerve located in the facet joints at levels L3-L4 and L4-L5 on both sides at each level. What CPT® code(s) are reported for this procedure?

S2348

Select the HCPCS code to report a patient having a spinal needle inserted into the nucleus pulposus of the L3-L4 intervertebral disc until the desired decompression is accomplished using radio frequency energy.

60252 Rationale: The removal of all of the lymph nodes of the neck during a thyroidectomy is considered a radical neck dissection. When limited removal of all of the lymph nodes of the neck is performed, it is reported with 60252. The thyroidectomy is performed due to the patient having a malignancy. In the CPT® Index look for Thyroidectomy/Total/for Malignancy/Limited Neck Dissection.

What CPT® code is reported for a subtotal thyroidectomy for malignancy, with removal of only a few selected lymph nodes?

64911

What CPT® code is used to report neurorrhaphy with autogenous vein graft for one nerve?

E27.2

What ICD-10-CM code is reported for Addisonian crisis?

G40.419

What ICD-10-CM code is used for intractable grand mal seizures without status epilepticus?

G03.9

What diagnosis code is used for spinal meningitis?

Acromegaly

What disease is characterized by enlarged skeletal parts?

Burr hole

What is a dime sized opening in the skull to access the brain called?

Vertebra

What is not a region of the spinal cord nerve segments?

Approach procedure

When coding for surgery performed on the Skull Base (61580-61598) what term describes the method used to gain exposure to the lesion?

Sciatic

Which nerve is the largest nerve of the body?