CPT® Code 76983

Add-On Code

The procedure described by CPT® Code 76983 involves the use of ultrasound elastography to assess the elastic properties of soft tissues, particularly focusing on lesions within these tissues. Ultrasound elastography is a specialized imaging technique that provides valuable diagnostic information regarding various conditions affecting soft tissue organs, such as the liver, breast, thyroid, prostate, and muscles. The term 'parenchyma' refers to the functional tissue of an organ, which is crucial for its operation. This procedure can be instrumental in evaluating diseases that affect these structures by measuring how they respond to applied pressure or deformation.

Different elastography techniques are employed to create detailed images that reflect the stiffness or elasticity of the target tissue. For instance, strain elastography utilizes real-time two-dimensional imaging to visualize the elastographic map by applying low-frequency compression through a handheld ultrasound transducer or by utilizing natural body movements like breathing or pulsation. This method is particularly useful in musculoskeletal imaging. On the other hand, acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography employs focused ultrasound pulses to internally excite the tissue, resulting in qualitative images that can be color-coded or displayed in gray-scale, which is beneficial for deep-tissue imaging, including assessments of the liver, thyroid, and breast. Additionally, shear wave elasticity imaging (SWEI) generates images based on the lateral movement of ultrasound waves, making it suitable for deep-tissue evaluations. A variant of SWEI, known as transient vibration controlled elastography, uses short bursts of vibration specifically for imaging the liver.

It is important to note that CPT® Code 76983 is specifically designated for each additional target lesion evaluated during the elastography procedure. This code should be used in conjunction with other related codes, such as 76981 for the evaluation of a parenchymal organ and any specific lesions within that organ, and 76982 for the evaluation of a specific soft tissue lesion or the first lesion in a different organ.