2025 CPT code 78195
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Diagnostic - Nuclear Medicine Radiology Feed
Lymphatics and lymph nodes imaging. This procedure uses a radioactive tracer to diagnose and locate diseases of the lymphatics and lymph nodes.
Modifiers 26 (professional component) and TC (technical component) are applicable when these components are billed separately.Modifier 59 may be used to indicate a distinct procedural service.
Medical necessity is determined by the patient's clinical condition and the need to evaluate the lymphatic system for diagnosis or treatment planning.Supporting documentation should justify the procedure's necessity.
The physician performing the procedure is responsible for administering the radioactive tracer, operating the gamma camera, interpreting the images, and providing a diagnosis based on the findings.
In simple words: This procedure helps doctors find and diagnose problems in your lymph system, like infections or cancer spread. A small amount of radioactive material is injected near the area being examined.This material helps a special camera take pictures of your lymph nodes and vessels, showing how they're working and if there are any blockages or unusual areas.
This procedure involves injecting a gamma-emitting radioactive tracer into the skin or tissue near a suspected tumor. After a period, usually 1-2 hours, a gamma camera scans the area, detecting the emitted gamma rays. A computer processes this data to create images of the lymphatics and lymph nodes, allowing visualization of the lymphatic system and identification of sentinel lymph nodes, which are the first lymph nodes to which cancer cells may spread from a primary tumor.This process, also known as lymphoscintigraphy, can help diagnose and localize diseases of the lymphatic system.
Example 1: A patient with melanoma undergoes lymphoscintigraphy to identify the sentinel lymph node(s) for biopsy, helping determine the extent of cancer spread., A patient with lymphedema has this procedure performed to evaluate lymphatic drainage and identify blockages in the lymphatic system., A patient with a suspected lymphatic infection undergoes this imaging to confirm the diagnosis and assess the affected area's extent.
Documentation should include the reason for the procedure, the area imaged, the type and dose of radiopharmaceutical used, the injection site, relevant patient history, and the physician's interpretation of the images.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Modifier TC is applicable when reporting only the technical component of the service.
- Specialties:Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, Oncology, Surgery
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Independent Clinic, Mobile Unit