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A complete course of radiation treatment is delivered to cranial lesion(s) in a single session using linear accelerator-based stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). This advanced technique does not involve the physical removal of the tumor; instead, it employs a focused external beam of radiation similar to conventional radiotherapy. The primary goal of SRS is to disrupt the DNA of tumor cells, thereby impairing their ability to reproduce and grow. The procedure is characterized by the delivery of highly concentrated radiation beams that are precisely targeted to a specific area of the brain or neck, all within one day, which is why it is referred to as radiosurgery. The term 'surgery' is used here due to the significant and immediate effects that the treatment has on the targeted tissue. To achieve the utmost precision, computer-aided planning is utilized to determine the exact three-dimensional coordinates of the lesion. During the procedure, the patient is immobilized using skeletal fixation devices that restrict head movement entirely, which is crucial for ensuring that the radiation is delivered accurately while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This immobilization technique confines the application of radiosurgery primarily to the head and neck regions. Linear accelerator-based radiosurgery is one of the three primary technologies available for SRS. The linear accelerator (linac) system operates by utilizing a single, powerful beam of radiation that moves throughout the treatment session, redirecting the beam in multiple arcs. This movement helps to reduce the potential adverse effects on healthy tissue surrounding the tumor. While this method is particularly effective for larger tumors, it can also be adapted for use in other areas of the body. Furthermore, linear accelerator machines are capable of administering fractionated therapy over several days for different body regions, in addition to providing the one-session radiosurgical treatment for cranial lesions, which is specifically reported with this code.
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The procedure is indicated for the treatment of cranial lesion(s) that require targeted radiation therapy. The specific conditions or symptoms that may warrant the use of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) include:
The procedure for delivering stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) using a linear accelerator involves several critical steps to ensure precision and effectiveness. Each step is designed to maximize the treatment's impact on the targeted lesion while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
Post-procedure care for patients undergoing stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) typically involves monitoring for any immediate side effects, which may include fatigue, headache, or localized swelling. Patients are usually advised to follow up with their healthcare provider for ongoing assessment of the treatment's effectiveness. This may include additional imaging studies to evaluate the response of the cranial lesion to the radiation therapy. It is important for patients to report any new symptoms or concerns to their healthcare team promptly. Recovery from SRS is generally quick, and many patients can resume normal activities shortly after the procedure, although individual recovery times may vary.
| Short Descr | SRS LINEAR BASED | Medium Descr | RADIATION DELIVERY STEREOTACTIC CRANIAL LINEAR | Long Descr | Radiation treatment delivery, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), complete course of treatment of cranial lesion(s) consisting of 1 session; linear accelerator based | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 3 - Technical Component Only Code | 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 | Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC | Type of Service (TOS) | 4 - Diagnostic Radiology | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | I4B - Imaging/procedure - other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 211 - Therapeutic radiology |
| 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. | 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. | 95 | Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system. | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2008-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2007-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2007. |
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