2025 CPT code 62329

Therapeutic spinal puncture for CSF drainage (needle or catheter), with fluoroscopic or CT guidance.

Follow current CPT coding guidelines and payer-specific requirements.

Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the procedure.Consult current CPT coding guidelines for details.

Medical necessity is established when the patient presents with clinical findings suggestive of elevated intracranial pressure (e.g., severe headaches, papilledema, visual disturbances) and other less invasive treatments have been ineffective or are not appropriate.

The physician is responsible for performing the procedure, including patient positioning, administering local anesthesia, inserting the needle or catheter under imaging guidance, withdrawing CSF, and applying a sterile dressing. Post-procedure care instructions are also provided.

IMPORTANT Do not report 62272 or 62329 with 77003 or 77012. If ultrasound or MRI guidance is used, report 76942 or 77021 instead. For diagnostic spinal puncture with fluoroscopic or CT guidance, use 62328. For diagnostic and therapeutic spinal puncture without imaging guidance, use 62270 and 62272 respectively.

In simple words: This code describes a procedure where a doctor uses imaging (like X-rays) to insert a thin tube into the spine to drain excess fluid, relieving pressure on the brain or spinal cord.

This CPT code encompasses therapeutic spinal puncture performed using either a needle or catheter to drain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).The procedure is guided by fluoroscopy or computed tomography (CT) imaging.It is used to relieve pressure on the brain and/or spinal cord. The insertion site and the spread of injected material determine the appropriate CPT code selection.

Example 1: A patient presents with severe headaches and elevated intracranial pressure. A therapeutic spinal tap with CSF drainage is performed under fluoroscopic guidance to relieve pressure., A patient with a suspected subarachnoid hemorrhage undergoes a therapeutic spinal puncture with CSF drainage under CT guidance to reduce intracranial pressure and facilitate diagnosis., A patient with pseudotumor cerebri (idiopathic intracranial hypertension) requires repeated CSF drainage to manage symptoms. A series of therapeutic lumbar punctures is performed under fluoroscopic guidance.

Detailed documentation should include the indication for the procedure (e.g., elevated intracranial pressure, symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri), imaging modality used (fluoroscopy or CT), the site of puncture, volume of CSF drained, any complications encountered, and post-procedure instructions given to the patient.

** This code should only be reported once even if the catheter is repositioned within the same spinal region during a single session.

  • Payment Status: Active
  • Modifier TC rule: The technical component (TC) modifier is not typically applied to this code.
  • Specialties:Neurology, Neurosurgery
  • Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center
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