CPT® Code 0228T

Deleted

Injection(s), anesthetic agent and/or steroid, transforaminal epidural, with ultrasound guidance, cervical or thoracic; single level

A transforaminal epidural injection is a medical procedure designed to alleviate pain associated with conditions such as foraminal stenosis and large or lateral disc herniations. This procedure involves the precise delivery of an anesthetic agent and/or steroid into the epidural space, which is the area surrounding the spinal cord and nerve roots. The injection is guided by ultrasound to ensure accurate placement, enhancing the effectiveness of the treatment. During the procedure, the patient is typically positioned in a prone (face down) position on a treatment table to facilitate access to the cervical or thoracic vertebrae. The use of fluoroscopic guidance allows the physician to visualize the needle's trajectory as it is advanced through the skin and into the nerve root foramen of the affected vertebra. Once the needle is correctly positioned within the epidural space, contrast material is injected to confirm proper placement before administering the anesthetic and/or steroid. This procedure is coded as 0228T for the first injection at a cervical or thoracic vertebral level, while subsequent injections at additional levels are coded as 0229T.