2025 CPT code 61546
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Craniectomy or Craniotomy Procedures Surgical Procedures on the Nervous System Feed
Craniotomy for hypophysectomy or pituitary tumor excision via intracranial approach.
Modifiers may be applicable based on specific circumstances of the procedure, such as multiple procedures (modifier 51), increased procedural services (modifier 22), or other relevant modifiers. Consult the CPT manual for more guidance.
The procedure is medically necessary for patients with pituitary adenomas causing hormonal imbalances (e.g., Cushing's disease, acromegaly), visual field deficits, or other significant symptoms.Hypophysectomy may be indicated for certain non-tumorous conditions.
The neurosurgeon is responsible for all aspects of the procedure, including the craniotomy, pituitary gland access, tumor resection or hypophysectomy, hemostasis (control of bleeding), wound closure, and post-operative care instructions.
- Surgical Procedures on the Nervous System
- Surgery > Surgical Procedures on the Nervous System > Surgical Procedures on the Skull, Meninges, and Brain > Craniectomy or Craniotomy Procedures
In simple words: The doctor opens the skull to remove the pituitary gland (hypophysectomy) or a tumor on the pituitary gland.After the procedure, the skull is closed.
This procedure involves a craniotomy, an intracranial surgical approach to the pituitary gland, for either hypophysectomy (removal of the pituitary gland) or excision (surgical removal) of a pituitary tumor.The neurosurgeon removes a portion of the skull bone to access the pituitary gland, performs the necessary resection or excision, addresses any bleeding or fluid accumulation, and then reconstructs the skull using plates, wires, or sutures, and applies a sterile dressing.
Example 1: A patient presents with a large pituitary adenoma causing significant visual field deficits.A craniotomy is performed for excision of the tumor., A patient with Cushing's disease due to a pituitary adenoma undergoes a hypophysectomy via a craniotomy., A patient with acromegaly resulting from a growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma has a craniotomy with tumor resection.
** Use of an operating microscope is not separately billable with this code according to Medicare guidelines.The choice between 61546 and 61548 depends on the surgical approach.
- Revenue Code: P1G (MAJOR PROCEDURE - OTHER)
- RVU: This information is not available in the provided source. Consult the AMA CPT codebook or other relevant resources for RVU data.
- Global Days : This information requires further clarification and is not explicitly available in the provided source.Consult the AMA CPT codebook or other relevant resources for the global surgical period.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: The application of TC modifiers is not directly indicated in this context.Consult the CPT manual for further details.
- Fee Schedule : Historical fee schedule data is not provided in the source. This information is dependent on payer and year.
- Specialties:Neurosurgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center