2025 CPT code 61595
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Nervous System Feed
Transtemporal approach to the posterior cranial fossa, jugular foramen, or midline skull base
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the specific circumstances. Modifier 51 is used when multiple procedures are performed by the same surgeon.
Medical necessity must be established by the underlying condition requiring the surgical approach. Documentation should justify the need for this particular approach.
The surgeon selects the approach and performs the necessary procedures to expose the lesion.
In simple words: The surgeon accesses the back part of your skull base through an incision behind the ear. This may involve procedures to improve access, such as removing part of the mastoid bone or relieving pressure on the sigmoid sinus and facial nerve.
Transtemporal approach to the posterior cranial fossa, jugular foramen, or midline skull base; including mastoidectomy and/or decompression of sigmoid sinus and/or facial nerve.
Example 1: A patient presents with a tumor in the jugular foramen. A transtemporal approach is used to access and remove the tumor., A patient requires surgery for a cholesteatoma that has extended into the posterior cranial fossa. A transtemporal approach is used for access., A patient has a lesion in the midline skull base that needs to be biopsied. A transtemporal approach is used to obtain the biopsy.
Documentation should include the operative report detailing the specific approach, procedures performed (mastoidectomy, decompression), and the location and nature of the lesion.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Neurosurgery, Otolaryngology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center