© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The CPT® Code 69550 refers to the excision of an aural glomus tumor using a transcanal approach. An aural glomus tumor is a benign neoplasm that originates from the paraganglionic cells found in glomus tissue, which is located near the temporal bone. These tumors are categorized into two main types: glomus jugulare tumors, which develop from the adventitia of the jugular bulb's dome, and glomus tympanicum tumors, which arise from glomus bodies along the tympanic branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve. The choice of surgical approach for excising these tumors is influenced by their size and location. In the case of CPT® Code 69550, the transcanal approach is specifically utilized for tumors that are confined to the middle ear. This method involves accessing the external auditory canal, which may need to be enlarged to facilitate the procedure. The meatus is incised, and a tympanomeatal flap is created to gain entry into the middle ear, where the tumor is exposed. The surgical team may then either dissect the tumor from the surrounding middle ear structures or employ an Argon laser to coagulate and destroy the tumor tissue. This procedure aims to remove the tumor while preserving as much hearing function as possible, although the extent of the tumor's invasion may necessitate more extensive surgical measures in some cases.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The excision of an aural glomus tumor using CPT® Code 69550 is indicated for patients presenting with specific symptoms or conditions associated with these tumors. The following are the primary indications for this procedure:
The procedure for excising an aural glomus tumor via the transcanal approach involves several detailed steps, as outlined below:
After the excision of the aural glomus tumor, several post-procedure care considerations are important for patient recovery. Patients may experience some degree of discomfort or pain in the ear, which can be managed with appropriate analgesics. Monitoring for any signs of complications, such as infection or excessive bleeding, is essential. Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled to assess healing and to evaluate any changes in hearing function. Depending on the extent of the tumor and the surgical approach, additional interventions may be necessary to address any residual symptoms or complications. The preservation of hearing is a primary goal of the procedure, but in some cases, it may be necessary to sacrifice certain structures to ensure complete tumor removal.
| Short Descr | EXC AURL GLOMUS TUM TRNSCANL | Medium Descr | EXCISION AURAL GLOMUS TUMOR TRANSCANAL | Long Descr | Excision aural glomus tumor; transcanal | 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) | 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 | 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) | P1G - Major procedure - Other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 26 - Other therapeutic ear procedures |
| 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. | 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 |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |