2025 CPT code 78071
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Radiology - Nuclear Medicine Feed
Parathyroid planar imaging (including subtraction, when performed); with tomographic (SPECT).
Modifiers 26 (professional component) and TC (technical component) may be applicable. Other modifiers, such as 52 (reduced services), 53 (discontinued procedure), and 76-79 (repeat procedures), may also be used as appropriate.
Medically necessary when there is clinical suspicion of parathyroid abnormality, such as hyperparathyroidism, based on symptoms, laboratory findings (elevated calcium or parathyroid hormone levels), or other imaging studies.
The physician is responsible for preparing the patient, administering the radiopharmaceutical, acquiring planar and SPECT images, interpreting the images in conjunction with other clinical data, and generating a report.
In simple words: This test uses a special camera and a small amount of radioactive material to create detailed pictures of your parathyroid glands. These glands are located in your neck and control your body’s calcium levels. The test helps doctors find abnormal parathyroid glands that may be causing problems.
This procedure involves planar imaging of the parathyroid glands, including subtraction imaging when performed, along with tomographic (SPECT) imaging.It is used to locate abnormal parathyroid glands, which are small glands in the neck that control calcium levels in the body. The procedure involves injecting a small amount of radioactive material into a vein, which is absorbed by the parathyroid glands. A special camera detects the radiation emitted by the material and creates images of the glands. Subtraction imaging helps to isolate the parathyroid glands from surrounding tissues.SPECT imaging provides three-dimensional images, giving a more detailed view of the glands. This test aids in diagnosing conditions such as hyperparathyroidism, which is characterized by overactive parathyroid glands.
Example 1: A patient with elevated calcium levels and suspected hyperparathyroidism undergoes parathyroid imaging with SPECT to locate an adenoma., A patient with recurrent kidney stones undergoes the procedure to identify overactive parathyroid glands., Prior to parathyroid surgery, a patient has this imaging study to localize the abnormal gland(s).
Documentation should include medical necessity for the study (e.g., symptoms, lab findings, previous imaging results), type of radiopharmaceutical used, technique of imaging (planar, SPECT, subtraction), interpretation of findings, and correlation with other clinical data.
** Code 78072 is reported if concurrently acquired CT is performed for anatomical localization.Radioimmunoassay tests for parathyroid hormone are reported separately using codes from the Clinical Pathology section (82009-84999).
- Modifier TC rule: Modifier TC can be used to report the technical component only.
- Specialties:Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, Endocrinology, General Surgery
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Independent Clinic, and others as applicable