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Salivary gland imaging, specifically referred to as scintigraphy imaging of the salivary glands, is a diagnostic procedure utilized to evaluate the function of the salivary glands, assess the patency of the ducts, and characterize any tumors present within these glands. The salivary glands, which include the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands, are exocrine glands located in the oral cavity and play a crucial role in the secretion of saliva. Saliva is essential for food digestion and maintaining oral hygiene. The parotid glands are situated anterior and inferior to the ears and are responsible for secreting saliva into the mouth through the Stensen ducts. The submandibular glands are located on the floor of the mouth, releasing saliva via the Warthin ducts, while the sublingual glands, also found on the floor of the mouth and lateral to the tongue, secrete saliva through both the Warthin and sublingual ducts. During the scintigraphy procedure, an intravenous line is established, and a radiolabeled isotope tracer is injected into the patient's circulatory system. Following a designated waiting period, the patient is positioned on an imaging table with a gamma camera placed over the anterior head and neck area. Scanning is conducted at specific intervals, capturing the radioactive energy emitted from the salivary glands, which is then converted into diagnostic images. The results of the scintigraphy are interpreted by the physician, who subsequently provides a detailed written report of the findings. This procedure is coded as CPT® Code 78230 for limited imaging, while CPT® Code 78231 is designated for instances where serial images are obtained.
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The scintigraphy imaging of salivary glands is indicated for various clinical scenarios, including:
The procedure for salivary gland scintigraphy involves several key steps, which are detailed as follows:
After the scintigraphy imaging is completed, the patient may be monitored briefly to ensure there are no immediate adverse reactions to the tracer. The physician will interpret the images obtained during the procedure and provide a comprehensive written report detailing the findings. Patients are typically advised to resume normal activities unless otherwise directed by their healthcare provider. There are no specific post-procedure care instructions mentioned, but it is essential for patients to follow any additional guidance provided by their physician based on the results of the imaging.
| Short Descr | SALIVARY GLAND IMAGING | Medium Descr | SALIVARY GLAND IMAGING | Long Descr | Salivary gland imaging; | 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 | Procedure or Service, Not Discounted when Multiple | 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) | I1E - Standard imaging - nuclear medicine | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 210 - Other radioisotope scan |
| 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. | 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). | 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 | 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 |
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| 2010-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |