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Official Description

Injection procedure for myelography and/or computed tomography, lumbar

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 62284 involves the injection of contrast material into the spinal canal, specifically targeting the subarachnoid space. This injection is performed to enhance the visualization of critical anatomical structures, including the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots, during imaging studies such as myelography and computed tomography (CT). The primary goal of this procedure is to obtain clear images that can assist in diagnosing various spinal conditions. The injection is typically performed in the lumbar region of the spine, which is the lower part of the back. To initiate the procedure, the patient is positioned face-down on an examination table, allowing for optimal access to the lumbar area. Prior to the injection, the skin over the intended site is thoroughly cleansed, and a local anesthetic is administered to minimize discomfort. Depending on the patient's needs, they may be repositioned to a side or sitting position for better access. A needle is then carefully inserted into the subarachnoid space, where the contrast material is injected. This contrast agent is crucial as it moves through the subarachnoid space, providing enhanced visualization of the spinal cord, nerve roots, and surrounding soft tissues, which is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The injection procedure for myelography and/or computed tomography (CT) using CPT® Code 62284 is indicated for various clinical scenarios where detailed imaging of the lumbar spine is necessary. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Spinal Cord Pathologies Conditions affecting the spinal cord that require further evaluation through imaging.
  • Nerve Root Compression Symptoms indicating potential compression of spinal nerve roots, which may include pain, numbness, or weakness in the lower extremities.
  • Spinal Tumors Suspected or known tumors in the lumbar region that necessitate imaging for assessment and treatment planning.
  • Herniated Discs Evaluation of herniated intervertebral discs that may be contributing to neurological symptoms.
  • Spinal Stenosis Assessment of spinal canal narrowing that could be causing symptoms related to nerve compression.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 62284 involves several critical steps to ensure accurate injection and imaging. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Patient Positioning The patient is positioned face-down on the examination table to provide optimal access to the lumbar region of the spine. This positioning is crucial for the subsequent steps of the procedure.
  • Step 2: Skin Preparation The skin over the planned injection site, typically located in the lower lumbar spine, is thoroughly cleansed using antiseptic solutions to minimize the risk of infection.
  • Step 3: Anesthesia Administration A local anesthetic is injected into the skin and underlying tissues at the injection site to ensure the patient experiences minimal discomfort during the procedure.
  • Step 4: Needle Insertion A needle is carefully inserted into the subarachnoid space, which is the area surrounding the spinal cord filled with cerebrospinal fluid. This step requires precision to avoid complications.
  • Step 5: Contrast Material Injection Once the needle is correctly positioned, contrast material is injected into the subarachnoid space. The movement of the contrast agent is observed as it enhances the visualization of the spinal cord, nerve roots, and surrounding soft tissues during imaging.

3. Post-Procedure

After the injection procedure is completed, the patient is typically monitored for any immediate adverse reactions or complications. It is essential to observe the patient for signs of discomfort or neurological changes. The patient may be advised to rest and avoid strenuous activities for a specified period following the procedure. Additionally, instructions regarding hydration and any follow-up imaging or assessments will be provided to ensure comprehensive care and evaluation of the results obtained from the myelography or CT scan.

Short Descr INJECTION FOR MYELOGRAM
Medium Descr INJECTION PROCEDURE MYELOGRAPHY/CT LUMBAR
Long Descr Injection procedure for myelography and/or computed tomography, lumbar
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard 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 Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates
ASC Payment Indicator Packaged service/item; no separate payment made.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) I4B - Imaging/procedure - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 181 - Myelogram

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

77003 CPT Add On MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Fluoroscopic guidance and localization of needle or catheter tip for spine or paraspinous diagnostic or therapeutic injection procedures (epidural or subarachnoid) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
X5 Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
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.
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
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).
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient 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).
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.
74 Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure after administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure after the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s), general) or after the procedure was started (incision made, intubation started, scope inserted, etc). under these circumstances, the procedure started but terminated can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 74. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53.
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.)
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.)
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
MG The order for this service does not have applicable appropriate use criteria in the qualified clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
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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Notes
2016-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
2015-01-01 Changed Description Changed
2003-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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