Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: How do we report a craniotomy for evacuation of a cerebellar hematoma? Is this same as subdural hematoma?

Florida Subscriber

Answer: A cerebellar hematoma is a parenchymal hematoma and not a subdural hematoma. You will submit code 61315 (Craniectomy or craniotomy for evacuation of hematoma, infratentorial; intracerebellar) for the craniotomy evacuation of a cerebellar hematoma. For an infratentorial subdural (or extradural hematoma), i.e., a hematoma not in the parenchyma of the cerebellum, you will submit code 61314 (Craniectomy or craniotomy for evacuation of hematoma, infratentorial; extradural or subdural).