© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a specialized, minimally invasive surgical technique utilized for the treatment of intracranial lesions. This procedure employs a laser that is delivered through a thin fiber optic cable, which is precisely guided to the target lesion using real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) mapping. The process begins with the creation of a small burr hole in the skull, allowing access to the brain. Once the laser is positioned at the lesion site, it emits heat that effectively destroys the targeted tissue. LITT is particularly beneficial for addressing recurrent brain tumors that are located deep within the brain and may not be amenable to traditional surgical approaches. Additionally, this technique can be employed to manage complications such as radiation necrosis, which can arise following radiation therapy for brain tumors, as well as to treat epilepsy when the specific area of seizure origin is identifiable. The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia, ensuring patient comfort and safety. Prior to the intervention, stereotactic imaging, either through MRI or CT scans, is conducted to accurately locate the lesion and plan the optimal trajectory for laser insertion. In cases where multiple lesions are present or when a lesion is complex, multiple trajectories may be necessary. The procedure involves making a stab incision and drilling a burr hole, through which the fiberoptic laser is inserted and navigated to the lesion. Continuous MRI monitoring is employed to confirm the laser's position and to track the temperature of adjacent tissues, ensuring that the ablation is confined to the intended target. Upon completion of the procedure, the laser is retracted, and the incision site is irrigated and closed. The CPT® Code 61736 specifically refers to the performance of LITT for a single trajectory aimed at treating one simple lesion, distinguishing it from CPT® Code 61737, which covers cases involving multiple trajectories for either multiple lesions or a single complex lesion.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure of laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is indicated for the following conditions:
The laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) procedure involves several critical steps to ensure successful treatment of the intracranial lesion:
Following the laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) procedure, patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications. Recovery may vary depending on the individual and the complexity of the procedure. Patients may experience some discomfort at the incision site, which can be managed with appropriate pain relief. It is essential to follow up with the healthcare provider for imaging studies to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and to monitor for any potential complications. Patients are usually advised on activity restrictions and signs of complications to watch for during the recovery period. Overall, LITT offers a promising option for patients with specific intracranial lesions, providing a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgical approaches.
| Short Descr | LITT ICR 1 TRAJ 1 SMPL LES | Medium Descr | LITT LES ICR SINGLE TRAJECTORY 1 SIMPLE LESION | Long Descr | Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) of lesion, intracranial, including burr hole(s), with magnetic resonance imaging guidance, when performed; single trajectory for 1 simple lesion | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 1 - Statutory 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 | Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | none | MUE | 1 |
| GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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). | 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | 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.) | 82 | Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s). | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2022-01-01 | Added | Code added |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.