CPT® Code 64520

The CPT® Code 64520 refers to the procedure of injecting an anesthetic agent into the lumbar or thoracic paravertebral sympathetic region. This procedure is commonly known as a thoracic or lumbar paravertebral nerve block, which is utilized to alleviate acute or chronic pain that may be experienced in the thoracic or abdominal areas. The paravertebral space is anatomically defined as a wedge-shaped area located adjacent to the vertebral bodies on either side of the spine, where spinal nerves exit from the intervertebral foramen. By administering a local anesthetic in this specific region, healthcare providers can achieve unilateral motor, sensory, and sympathetic nerve blocks, effectively interrupting pain transmission pathways. The procedure involves careful identification and marking of the superior aspect of the spinous process to determine the appropriate level for the block. Following this, a local anesthetic is injected at a predetermined needle insertion site, which is typically located approximately 2.5 cm lateral to the marked spinous process. The technique requires precision and skill, as the anesthetic agent is delivered into the paravertebral space to provide targeted pain relief.