2025 CPT code 78830
(Revised) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Radiology Procedures - Nuclear Medicine Procedures Feed
Radiopharmaceutical localization of tumor, inflammatory process or distribution of radiopharmaceutical agent(s), including vascular flow and blood pool imaging; tomographic (SPECT) with concurrently acquired computed tomography (CT) transmission scan for anatomical review, localization and determination/detection of pathology, single area or acquisition, single day imaging.
Modifiers such as 26 (professional component) and TC (technical component) may be applicable depending on who performs and interprets the study.
Medical necessity must be established for each patient undergoing the procedure. The documentation should support the need for the scan based on the patient's symptoms, clinical findings, and other diagnostic test results.
The physician administers a radiopharmaceutical, positions the patient, acquires the SPECT and CT images, reviews the combined images, interprets the findings, and creates a report.
In simple words: This procedure uses a special type of nuclear imaging called SPECT combined with a CT scan to find and pinpoint the location of a tumor, inflammation, or how a radioactive substance is distributed in the body. It's done in one area of the body, like the head or chest, in a single day. It can also show blood flow and how well blood vessels are working.
This code describes a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan performed with a concurrently acquired computed tomography (CT) scan. It is used for the localization of tumors, inflammatory processes, or the distribution of radiopharmaceutical agents. It includes vascular flow and blood pool imaging when performed. The procedure involves a single area (e.g., head, neck, chest, or pelvis) or acquisition on a single day.
Example 1: A patient with suspected breast cancer undergoes a SPECT-CT scan of the chest to evaluate a suspicious mass found on mammography. The scan helps determine the precise location and extent of the mass and whether it involves surrounding lymph nodes., A patient presents with a fever of unknown origin. A SPECT-CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is ordered to evaluate for occult infection or inflammation., A patient with epilepsy undergoes a brain SPECT-CT to locate the seizure focus for potential surgical intervention.
Documentation should include the indication for the scan, the area imaged, the radiopharmaceutical used, the interpretation of the findings, and any relevant medical history.
** The code includes vascular flow and blood pool imaging, when performed. The radiopharmaceutical is reported separately.
- Specialties:Nuclear medicine, radiology, oncology, neurology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Independent Clinic, and other places of service where nuclear medicine and CT imaging services are provided