CPT® Code 78102

Bone marrow imaging is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure that allows healthcare professionals to visualize the functional activity of the bone marrow. This imaging technique is essential for diagnosing and staging various bone marrow disorders and infections, as well as identifying metastases from other cancers. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in evaluating the success of bone marrow transplants. Throughout a person's life, distinct changes occur in the bone marrow; at birth, the marrow is predominantly composed of hematopoietic cells, which gradually transition to adipose tissue as the individual ages. Bone marrow imaging can help assess discrepancies between the histological findings of the bone marrow and the clinical presentation of diseases, and it is also useful for monitoring the effects of radiotherapy. Furthermore, this imaging technique can detect extramedullary hematopoiesis and assist in locating the optimal site for bone marrow biopsy. The procedure typically involves drawing a blood sample, processing it to separate white blood cells (WBCs) from red blood cells (RBCs), and tagging the WBCs with a radionuclide-labeled tracer. This tracer is then injected back into the patient intravenously, and other isotopes may also be administered. Following this, imaging techniques such as Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and/or Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanning are performed at specific intervals to evaluate various conditions, including infections, metastases, bone marrow viability, aplastic anemia, and myelofibrosis. The tracers used in conjunction with SPECT and/or PET scanning can provide valuable information regarding cellular metabolism and proliferation activity within the bone marrow. Ultimately, the physician interprets the resulting Emission Computed Tomography (ECT), SPECT, CT, or PET scan images and generates a comprehensive written report detailing the findings. CPT® Code 78102 specifically pertains to bone marrow imaging of a limited area, while Code 78103 is designated for imaging multiple areas, and Code 78104 is utilized for whole-body bone marrow imaging.