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Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a non-invasive medical procedure that utilizes advanced technology to deliver high doses of radiation precisely to targeted areas within the cranial cavity. This technique is particularly effective for treating various types of cranial lesions, including tumors and vascular malformations. The procedure can be performed using different modalities, such as particle beams, gamma rays, or linear accelerators, each offering unique advantages depending on the specific characteristics of the lesion being treated. In the context of CPT® Code 61797, this code specifically refers to the treatment of each additional simple cranial lesion following the primary procedure, which is coded separately under CPT® Code 61796. The use of stereotactic frames ensures that the patient's head remains immobile during treatment, allowing for the precise targeting of radiation beams. This meticulous approach minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue while maximizing the therapeutic effect on the lesion. The planning phase of the procedure involves detailed imaging studies, such as MRI or CT scans, to accurately assess the lesion's size, location, and the potential impact on adjacent structures. This comprehensive planning is crucial for determining the appropriate radiation dose and ensuring optimal treatment outcomes.
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The procedure is indicated for the treatment of various cranial lesions, particularly when they are classified as simple. The following conditions may warrant the use of stereotactic radiosurgery:
The procedure for stereotactic radiosurgery involves several critical steps to ensure accurate delivery of radiation to the targeted lesion. Each step is essential for the overall success of the treatment.
After the completion of the stereotactic radiosurgery, patients are typically monitored for a short period to ensure there are no immediate complications. Post-procedure care may include instructions on managing any potential side effects, such as fatigue or mild headaches. Patients are often advised to follow up with their healthcare provider for ongoing assessment of the treatment's effectiveness and to monitor for any changes in their condition. The expected recovery time can vary, but many patients can resume normal activities shortly after the procedure, as it is minimally invasive. Long-term follow-up imaging may be necessary to evaluate the response of the lesion to the treatment.
| Short Descr | SRS CRAN LES SIMPLE ADDL | Medium Descr | STRTCTC RADIOSURGERY EA ADDL CRANIAL LES SIMPLE | Long Descr | Stereotactic radiosurgery (particle beam, gamma ray, or linear accelerator); each additional cranial lesion, simple (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service | 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 | 4 | CCS Clinical Classification | 9 - Other OR therapeutic nervous system procedures |
This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.
| 61796 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC B CPT Assistant Article Stereotactic radiosurgery (particle beam, gamma ray, or linear accelerator); 1 simple cranial lesion | 61798 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC B CPT Assistant Article Stereotactic radiosurgery (particle beam, gamma ray, or linear accelerator); 1 complex cranial lesion |
| 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. | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | 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.) | 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. | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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. | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | 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). | 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. | 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). | 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 | 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 | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner |
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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2009-01-01 | Added | - |
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