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An ultrasound examination of the spinal canal and its contents, designated by CPT® Code 76800, is a diagnostic imaging procedure that utilizes high-frequency sound waves to visualize internal structures of the body. This non-invasive technique is particularly effective in assessing the spinal canal in newborns and infants, where the spine has minimal ossification, allowing for clearer imaging. The ultrasound works by emitting sound waves that penetrate the body and reflect off various tissues, with the returning echoes being captured and converted into visual images displayed on a monitor. This method is advantageous in pediatric patients due to the shorter distance between the skin surface and the spinal subarachnoid space, facilitating better visualization. While spinal ultrasound can also be employed intraoperatively in adults and older children, its diagnostic efficacy is limited in these populations. During the procedure, the patient is typically positioned prone, with the neck flexed to optimize access to the spinal area. Acoustic coupling gel is applied to the skin to enhance sound wave transmission. A linear probe is then used to examine the spinal canal and its contents in both sagittal and axial planes, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation along the entire length of the spine. Following the examination, the physician analyzes the captured images and provides a detailed written interpretation of the findings.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The ultrasound examination of the spinal canal and contents, as described by CPT® Code 76800, is indicated for specific clinical scenarios, particularly in pediatric populations. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:
The procedure for conducting an ultrasound of the spinal canal and contents involves several key steps to ensure accurate imaging and assessment. The following outlines the procedural steps:
Post-procedure care for patients undergoing an ultrasound of the spinal canal and contents is generally minimal due to the non-invasive nature of the examination. Patients can typically resume normal activities immediately following the procedure. The physician will review the ultrasound findings and discuss the results with the patient’s caregivers, providing any necessary follow-up recommendations based on the interpretation of the images. If any abnormalities are detected, further diagnostic testing or referrals to specialists may be suggested to address the identified issues. It is important for caregivers to monitor the patient for any unusual symptoms following the procedure and to maintain communication with the healthcare provider regarding any concerns.
| Short Descr | US EXAM SPINAL CANAL | Medium Descr | ULTRASOUND SPINAL CANAL & CONTENTS | Long Descr | Ultrasound, spinal canal and contents | 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) | 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) | 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 | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | STV-Packaged Codes | ASC Payment Indicator | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. | Type of Service (TOS) | 4 - Diagnostic Radiology | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | I3F - Echography/ultrasonography - other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 197 - Other diagnostic ultrasound |
| 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. | 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. | 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). | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | SA | Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician | 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 | 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 | 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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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2002-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 1990-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1990. |
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