Radiology Coding Alert

Question: For a lower back ultrasound of a soft tissue mass, which CPT code is appropriate? Michigan Subscriber Answer: Code 76705 (Ultrasound, abdominal, real time with image documentation; limited [e.g., single organ, quadrant, follow-up]) is appropriate for this lower back ultrasound. Although the code descriptor states "abdominal" and not "back," CPT Assistant (May 2009) clarifies that 76705 is appropriate for a lower back or abdominal wall soft tissue mass ultrasound. Bonus tip: You might be surprised to discover these other not-so-obvious anatomy/code pairings that CPT Assistant supports: • chest wall, upper back: 76604 (Ultrasound chest [includes mediastinum], real time with image documentation) • pelvic wall, buttock, perineum: 76857 (Ultrasound, pelvic [nonobstetric], real time with image documentation; limited or follow-up [e.g., for follicles]) • upper extremity, axilla, groin, lower extremity: 76880 (Ultrasound, extremity, nonvascular, real time with image documentation).