2025 CPT code 61510
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Nervous System Feed
Craniectomy, trephination, bone flap craniotomy for excision of brain tumor, supratentorial, except meningioma.
Modifiers are applicable. Modifier 22 is for significantly increased procedural services, 51 for multiple procedures, 62 for two surgeons, 80 for assistant surgeon. Refer to current CPT guidelines for complete details. Other modifiers as documented in sources are also applicable.
Medical necessity is established by pre-operative imaging and pathology confirming the presence of a supratentorial brain tumor (excluding meningioma), impacting neurological function and requiring surgical excision.
The surgeon performs the incision, bone removal, tumor excision, fluid drainage, tissue suturing, bone flap reattachment, and scalp closure.
In simple words: The surgeon removes a piece of the skull to access a tumor located in the upper part of the brain, above the tentorium cerebelli (a membrane separating parts of the brain). The tumor is removed, and the skull piece is reattached.This procedure is not for meningiomas (tumors originating in the lining of the brain).
This procedure involves removing a section of the skull (craniectomy/craniotomy) to access and excise a supratentorial brain tumor, excluding meningiomas.The procedure may utilize trephination (creating a burr hole) and involves creating a bone flap for access, which is later replaced.It includes draining fluids or blood, suturing tissue layers, and reattaching the bone flap with plates, wires, or sutures, followed by scalp closure.
Example 1: A patient presents with seizures and imaging reveals a supratentorial glioma. Code 61510 is used for the craniotomy and tumor removal., A patient experiences weakness and headaches.A supratentorial astrocytoma is diagnosed, requiring surgical excision. 61510 is applied., A biopsy confirms a supratentorial oligodendroglioma. The subsequent craniotomy and tumor removal are coded as 61510.
Operative report detailing the tumor type, location (supratentorial), surgical approach, and procedures performed, including trephination, bone flap creation and replacement, and closure. Pre-operative imaging reports and pathology results confirming the diagnosis are also necessary.
** It is crucial to differentiate this code from craniectomy codes where the bone flap is not replaced.Always confirm the specific anatomical location and tumor type to ensure accurate coding.
- Revenue Code: P1G: Major Procedure - Other
- Global Days : Information Not available in provided sources
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Information on TC modifier is not available in provided sources
- Fee Schedule : Information on fee schedule changes in not available.
- Specialties:Neurosurgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center