CPT® Code 78072

Parathyroid planar imaging (including subtraction, when performed); with tomographic (SPECT), and concurrently acquired computed tomography (CT) for anatomical localization

Parathyroid planar imaging is a diagnostic imaging procedure that focuses on the parathyroid glands, which are small endocrine glands located near the thyroid gland. This imaging technique is performed after the intravenous administration of a radiopharmaceutical known as TC-99 sestamibi. The initial phase of the procedure involves obtaining planar images shortly after the radiopharmaceutical is administered. These images are crucial for assessing any increased uptake of the radiotracer in the parathyroid tissue compared to the surrounding thyroid tissue, which can indicate the presence of parathyroid disease. Following this, additional images are captured approximately two hours later to evaluate the retention of the radiotracer in the parathyroid glands, providing further insight into their function and potential abnormalities. In cases where subtraction studies are indicated, a second radiopharmaceutical that is selectively taken up by the thyroid gland, such as I-123 or TC-99 pertechnetate, is administered. This allows for the generation of subtraction images that specifically highlight the parathyroid glands by eliminating the background signal from the thyroid. The integration of multiple imaging modalities enhances the diagnostic accuracy for parathyroid conditions. Recent advancements in this field have led to the combination of 99mTc-sestamibi with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and concurrently acquired computed tomography (CT). This innovative approach improves sensitivity by merging anatomical and functional imaging data, thereby facilitating better localization and characterization of parathyroid abnormalities. For coding purposes, CPT® Code 78070 is designated for parathyroid planar imaging alone, while CPT® Code 78071 is used when planar imaging is combined with SPECT studies. CPT® Code 78072 is specifically utilized when both planar imaging and SPECT studies are performed alongside concurrent CT imaging for anatomical localization.