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Official Description

Stereotactic radiosurgery (particle beam, gamma ray, or linear accelerator); 1 simple cranial lesion

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a non-invasive medical procedure that utilizes advanced technology to deliver a concentrated dose of radiation to a specific area within the cranial cavity. This technique is particularly effective for treating a single, simple cranial lesion, which may include tumors or other abnormal growths. The procedure employs various forms of radiation, including particle beams, gamma rays, or linear accelerators, to target the lesion with high precision. The primary goal of SRS is to minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissue while effectively treating the lesion. The use of a rigid stereotactic frame is essential, as it secures the patient's head in a fixed position, ensuring that the radiation beams are accurately directed at the lesion. Prior to the treatment, detailed imaging studies such as three-dimensional MRI or CT scans are performed to visualize the lesion and assess its characteristics, including its location and volume. This meticulous planning is crucial for determining the appropriate radiation dose and for evaluating the potential risks to adjacent structures. Stereotactic radiosurgery is a sophisticated procedure that exemplifies the integration of imaging technology and radiation therapy, providing a targeted approach to managing cranial lesions.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure of stereotactic radiosurgery (CPT® Code 61796) is indicated for the treatment of specific cranial conditions. These include:

  • Single, Simple Cranial Lesion This procedure is specifically designed for patients with one uncomplicated cranial lesion, which may be a tumor or other abnormal growth that requires targeted radiation treatment.

2. Procedure

The stereotactic radiosurgery procedure involves several critical steps to ensure accurate treatment of the cranial lesion. Each step is essential for the successful delivery of radiation therapy.

  • Step 1: Patient Preparation Initially, the patient is prepared for the procedure by securing a rigid stereotactic frame to their head. This frame is attached in a separately reportable procedure and is crucial for immobilizing the head, allowing for precise targeting of the radiation beams during treatment.
  • Step 2: Imaging and Planning Following the attachment of the frame, a planning procedure is conducted where three-dimensional MRI or CT scans are performed. These imaging studies are vital for visualizing the lesion, determining its location and volume, and identifying surrounding anatomical structures. This information is used to assess the risk of damage to adjacent tissues and to compute the necessary radiation dose.
  • Step 3: Treatment Delivery Depending on the technology used, the treatment is delivered using either a gamma knife or a linear accelerator. If a gamma knife is employed, the patient is positioned on the gamma bed, and a helmet with multiple holes is affixed to the head frame. The gamma bed then moves into the treatment area, where the helmet locks into the radiation source, allowing for the precise delivery of the radiation dose. In contrast, if a linear accelerator is utilized, a computer system works in conjunction with a micro-multileaf collimator to shape and arrange high-energy radiation beams according to the configuration of the lesion. The gantry of the linear accelerator rotates around the patient, delivering the planned radiation dose accurately to the targeted area.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the stereotactic radiosurgery, patients may experience some side effects, which can vary based on the individual and the specific lesion treated. Common post-procedure care includes monitoring for any immediate reactions and managing discomfort. Patients are typically advised to follow up with their healthcare provider to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and to monitor for any potential complications. Recovery times can vary, but many patients can resume normal activities shortly after the procedure, as SRS is a non-invasive treatment method.

Short Descr SRS CRANIAL LESION SIMPLE
Medium Descr STEREOTACTIC RADIOSURGERY 1 SIMPLE CRANIAL LES
Long Descr Stereotactic radiosurgery (particle beam, gamma ray, or linear accelerator); 1 simple cranial lesion
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 090 - Major Surgery
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) 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply 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 Code Not Recognized by OPPS when submitted on Outpatient Hospital Part B Bill Type (12x/13x)
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 9 - Other OR therapeutic nervous system procedures

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

61797 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC B CPT Assistant Article Stereotactic radiosurgery (particle beam, gamma ray, or linear accelerator); each additional cranial lesion, simple (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
61800 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC B CPT Assistant Article Application of stereotactic headframe for stereotactic radiosurgery (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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.
54 Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number.
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
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.)
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.
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).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
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.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
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).
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
Q0 Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
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
Date
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2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2009-01-01 Added -
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