Neurosurgery Coding Alert
Rely on These Terms for Intracranial Lesion Surgeries
Do you know the 3 meninges? During her recent presentation at HEALTHCON Regional Denver 2022 “Stereotactic Procedures for Diagnosis of Intracranial Lesions,” Oby Egbunike, COC, CPC, CRC, AAPC Approved Instructor, provided a list of key terms that coders might come across while working on claims for stereotactic surgery to address intracranial lesions. When a surgeon performs one of these procedures, these 10 terms could show up in the notes. “Keep these terms handy for stereotactic procedure claims; then, when your surgeon submits a claim with These terms, you’ll know what they’re talking about,” said Egbunike. KEY TERMS 1. Cerebellum: Part of the brain responsible for balance and muscle control for movement 2. CT (computed tomography): A type of diagnostic X-ray that views anatomical structures of the brain and spine, especially bones, soft tissues, and vessels 3. Hydrocephalus: An abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid that may be caused by a blockage of the ventricular system of the brain 4. Hypothalamus: A part of the brain that regulates pituitary hormone responses by secreting releasing factors or inhibiting factors, depending on the needs of the body 5. Image-guided surgery: Use of preoperative computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and a computer workstation to guide surgery. 6. Intracranial: Within the skull 7. ICP (intracranial pressure) monitor: A device used to measure intracranial pressure inside the brain 8. Lesion: A general term that refers to any change in tissue, such as tumor, blood, malformation, infection, or scar tissue 9. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A diagnostic test that uses a strong magnet to view tissues in your body 10. Meninges: Three membranes — pia mater, arachnoid mater, and dura mater — that surround the brain and spinal cord.
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