2025 CPT code 78601
Effective Date: N/A Radiology - Nuclear Medicine Feed
Brain imaging with vascular flow, less than 4 static views.
Modifiers 26 (Professional Component) and TC (Technical Component) are applicable. Modifier 53 may be used for discontinued procedures. Other modifiers like 52, 76, 77 may be applicable in specific circumstances.
This study is medically necessary when clinical findings suggest brain death and confirmatory imaging is required. It is not routinely used for other neurological conditions, as other imaging modalities are often more informative.
The physician administers the radiopharmaceutical, interprets the images, and correlates the findings with other clinical data to make a diagnosis. They are responsible for the patient's safety during the procedure.
In simple words: A special type of brain scan that uses a radioactive material to take pictures of the brain and check blood flow. Fewer than four images are taken, and this is usually done to check for brain death.
Nuclear diagnostic imaging of the brain using a radiopharmaceutical to examine structure and function, including less than four static (planar) views and evaluation of blood flow. This procedure involves administering a radiopharmaceutical that emits gamma radiation, which is detected by a gamma camera and used to create images.
Example 1: A patient in a coma after a severe head injury is suspected to be brain dead. A brain scan with vascular flow study is performed to confirm the absence of brain activity., A patient involved in a car accident is unresponsive. This procedure is ordered as part of the assessment for brain death., Following cardiac arrest and resuscitation, a patient remains comatose. Brain imaging with vascular flow is performed to assess brain function and viability.
Documentation should include the medical necessity for the procedure (e.g., suspected brain death), the radiopharmaceutical used, the number of views obtained, the results of the vascular flow study, and the physician's interpretation of the findings.
** This procedure does not include the supply of the radiopharmaceutical, which can be billed separately. If SPECT or SPECT/CT is performed, different codes (788XX series) apply.
- Revenue Code:
- Modifier TC rule: Modifier TC can be appended if only the technical component is being billed.
- Specialties:
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital