© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
A computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of the head is a specialized imaging procedure that utilizes advanced technology to visualize the blood vessels in the head. This procedure involves the use of contrast material, which enhances the visibility of the blood vessels during imaging. The process may also include obtaining non-contrast images, which are captured if deemed necessary. The primary goal of a CTA is to provide detailed images of the vascular structures, allowing for the assessment of conditions such as aneurysms, blockages, or other vascular abnormalities. The procedure combines the principles of computed tomography (CT) and angiography, enabling the creation of high-resolution, three-dimensional cross-sectional views of the blood vessels. During the procedure, the patient is carefully positioned on a CT table, and an intravenous line is typically inserted into a peripheral vein, often in the arm or hand, to facilitate the administration of the contrast material. Following the injection of a small dose of contrast, test images are taken to ensure proper positioning before the full CTA is conducted. The contrast is injected at a controlled rate while the CT table moves through the scanning apparatus, capturing a series of images that are subsequently processed and displayed on a computer monitor. After the completion of the CTA, a radiologist reviews and interprets the images to provide diagnostic insights.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of the head is indicated for various clinical scenarios where detailed visualization of the cerebral vasculature is necessary. The following conditions may warrant the performance of this procedure:
The procedure for performing a computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of the head involves several key steps that ensure accurate imaging and assessment of the cerebral vasculature. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the completion of the computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of the head, the patient may be monitored for a short period to ensure there are no immediate adverse reactions to the contrast material. It is common for patients to experience mild side effects, such as a warm sensation during the contrast injection. Patients are typically advised to hydrate adequately post-procedure to help flush the contrast material from their system. The radiologist will compile a report based on the interpreted images, which will be communicated to the referring physician for further evaluation and management. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled based on the findings of the CTA and the clinical context of the patient's condition.
| Short Descr | CT ANGIOGRAPHY HEAD | Medium Descr | CT ANGIOGRAPHY HEAD W/CONTRAST/NONCONTRAST | Long Descr | Computed tomographic angiography, head, with contrast material(s), including noncontrast images, if performed, and image postprocessing | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services | Multiple Procedures (51) | 4 - Special payment adjustment rules on the technical component (TC) of multiple diagnostic imaging 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) | 0 - 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 | 88 - | APC Status Indicator | Codes That May Be Paid Through a Composite APC | ASC Payment Indicator | Radiology service paid separately when provided integral to a surgical procedure on ASC list; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 4 - Diagnostic Radiology | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | I2A - Advanced imaging - CAT/CT/CTA: brain/head/neck | MUE | 2 | CCS Clinical Classification | 177 - Computerized axial tomography (CT) scan head |
| 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | 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 | 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). | ME | The order for this service adheres to appropriate use criteria in the clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional | 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 | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | MH | Unknown if ordering professional consulted a clinical decision support mechanism for this service, related information was not provided to the furnishing professional or provider | MA | Ordering professional is not required to consult a clinical decision support mechanism due to service being rendered to a patient with a suspected or confirmed emergency medical condition | 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. | TC | Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner | Ordering professional consulted a qualified clinical decision support mechanism for this service and the related data was provided to the furnishing professional | MF | The order for this service does not adhere to the appropriate use criteria in the 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 | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | 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. | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | 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 | 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. | MC | Ordering professional is not required to consult a clinical decision support mechanism due to the significant hardship exception of electronic health record or clinical decision support mechanism vendor issues | 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 | 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 | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | PD | Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days | 25 | Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the same day of the procedure or other service: it may be necessary to indicate that on the day a procedure or service identified by a cpt code was performed, the patient's condition required a significant, separately identifiable e/m service above and beyond the other service provided or beyond the usual preoperative and postoperative care associated with the procedure that was performed. a significant, separately identifiable e/m service is defined or substantiated by documentation that satisfies the relevant criteria for the respective e/m service to be reported (see evaluation and management services guidelines for instructions on determining level of e/m service). the e/m service may be prompted by the symptom or condition for which the procedure and/or service was provided. as such, different diagnoses are not required for reporting of the e/m services on the same date. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 25 to the appropriate level of e/m service. note: this modifier is not used to report an e/m service that resulted in a decision to perform surgery. see modifier 57 for significant, separately identifiable non-e/m services, see modifier 59. | 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). | 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). | 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.) | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | CT | Computed tomography services furnished using equipment that does not meet each of the attributes of the national electrical manufacturers association (nema) xr-29-2013 standard | ET | Emergency services | GQ | Via asynchronous telecommunications system | GY | Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit | 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) | MB | Ordering professional is not required to consult a clinical decision support mechanism due to the significant hardship exception of insufficient internet access | MD | Ordering professional is not required to consult a clinical decision support mechanism due to the significant hardship exception of extreme and uncontrollable circumstances | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | QJ | Services/items provided to a prisoner or patient in state or local custody, however the state or local government, as applicable, meets the requirements in 42 cfr 411.4 (b) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | U1 | Medicaid level of care 1, as defined by each state | U2 | Medicaid level of care 2, as defined by each state | U6 | Medicaid level of care 6, as defined by each state |
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Notes
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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2008-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2001-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2001. |
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