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The CPT® Code 24120 refers to the excision or curettage of a bone cyst or benign tumor located in the head or neck of the radius or the olecranon process. A bone cyst is defined as a fluid-filled space within the bone, which can vary in type. The most common type is the unicameral or simple bone cyst, recognized as a benign lesion. Another type, though less common, is the aneurysmal bone cyst, characterized by vascular tissue surrounding a blood-filled cystic lesion. Additionally, there are various benign bone tumors, including giant cell tumors, chondromyxoid fibromas, and enchondromas. The procedure described by CPT® Code 24120 involves making an incision in the skin over the lesion's site, followed by dissection of the soft tissues to expose the lesion. If a cystic lesion is identified, the bone is incised to create a window, allowing access to the cyst. The fluid within the cyst is aspirated for laboratory analysis. A curette is then utilized to remove the lining of the cystic cavity completely. In cases where a benign tumor is present, the procedure may involve excising the tumor along with a margin of surrounding healthy bone. This code is essential for accurately documenting the surgical intervention performed on these specific bone lesions in the upper extremity.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure associated with CPT® Code 24120 is indicated for the treatment of specific conditions affecting the head or neck of the radius or olecranon process. These indications include:
The procedure for CPT® Code 24120 involves several critical steps, which are detailed as follows:
Post-procedure care for patients undergoing the excision or curettage of a bone cyst or benign tumor typically includes monitoring for signs of infection, managing pain, and ensuring proper wound healing. Patients may be advised to limit movement of the affected arm to promote recovery and prevent complications. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess healing and to determine if any further treatment is necessary. Additionally, the results of the laboratory analysis of the aspirated fluid may guide any subsequent management decisions.
| Short Descr | EXC/CRTG B1 CST/B9 TUM RDS | Medium Descr | EXC/CURTG BONE CYST/BENIGN TUMOR H/N RDS/OLECRN | Long Descr | Excision or curettage of bone cyst or benign tumor of head or neck of radius or olecranon process; | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 090 - Major Surgery | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC | ASC Payment Indicator | Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P5B - Ambulatory procedures - musculoskeletal | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 142 - Partial excision bone |
| 22 | Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 50 | Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.) | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | 80 | Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s). | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2023-01-01 | Note | Short description changed. |
| 2010-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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