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Quantitative differential pulmonary perfusion and ventilation studies are specialized nuclear imaging procedures designed to assess lung function by evaluating two critical components: ventilation and perfusion. Ventilation refers to the process by which air is distributed throughout the lung's various regions, ensuring that all areas receive adequate airflow. In contrast, perfusion pertains to the blood flow circulating through the lung tissue, which is essential for effective gas exchange. These studies utilize radioactive tracers to visualize and measure the distribution of airflow and blood flow within the lungs. The quantitative aspect of these studies allows for precise comparisons of the accumulation of radioactive tracers in different lung regions, as well as between the lungs and other areas of the body. The procedure involves the administration of a radioactive tracer, such as technetium macro aggregated albumin (Tc99m-MAA) for the perfusion component, and a gaseous radionuclide like xenon or technetium DTPA for the ventilation component. By obtaining scintigraphic images, healthcare professionals can evaluate the functional status of the lungs, leading to better diagnostic insights and treatment planning. The physician is responsible for monitoring the patient throughout the procedure and interpreting the results, culminating in a comprehensive written report that details the findings, including measurements and comparisons of radionuclide accumulations.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
Quantitative differential pulmonary perfusion and ventilation studies are indicated for various clinical scenarios where assessment of lung function is necessary. These indications may include:
The procedure for quantitative differential pulmonary perfusion and ventilation studies involves several key steps that ensure accurate assessment of lung function. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the completion of the quantitative differential pulmonary perfusion and ventilation study, the patient may be monitored for a short period to ensure there are no immediate adverse reactions to the radioactive tracers. Typically, patients can resume normal activities shortly after the procedure, as the amount of radiation exposure is minimal and considered safe. The physician will review the images and findings, providing a comprehensive report that may be used for further diagnostic or therapeutic decisions. Patients may be advised to follow up with their healthcare provider to discuss the results and any necessary next steps based on the findings of the study.
| Short Descr | LUNG PERF&VENTILAT DIFERENTL | Medium Descr | QUANT DIFF PULM PRFUSION & VENTLAJ W/WO IMAGIN | Long Descr | Quantitative differential pulmonary perfusion and ventilation (eg, aerosol or gas), including imaging when performed | 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) | I4B - Imaging/procedure - other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 208 - Radioisotope pulmonary 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. | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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 | 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. | 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. | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | 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 | ME | The order for this service adheres to appropriate use criteria in the clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering 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 | 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 | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | Ordering professional consulted a qualified clinical decision support mechanism for this service and the related data was provided to the furnishing professional | 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 | 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 |
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| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Medium Descriptor changed. |
| 2012-01-01 | Added | Added |
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