Question: How should I code for a shunt tap? Answer: For a shunt tap, you should select 61070 (Puncture of shunt tubing or reservoir for aspiration or injection procedure).
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Surgeons frequently choose to place an intracranial shunt to aid in treating hydrocephalus. The physician performs a shunt tap by inserting a small-gauge needle through the scalp, thereby penetrating the tubing or bulb of the reservoir. In this way, he or she may measure and/or reduce intracranial pressure, withdraw cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for diagnosis or inject a radioisotope into the shunt valve to follow and quantitate the flow of CSF with an isotope camera (gamma camera).