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Stop Wondering About 'Static' in 78201

Published on Sat Aug 19, 2006

Question: What does "static only" mean in 78201's descriptor?


Idaho Subscriber


Answer: Nuclear medicine code 78201 (Liver imaging; static only) includes the term "static only" to differentiate it from 78202 (... with vascular flow).

The service 78201 describes involves a special camera taking planar images of the liver by detecting gamma radiation from a radioisotope injected into a peripheral vein and extracted by the liver.

Code 78202 describes a procedure that also requires imaging by detecting the radioisotope radiation but adds imaging of blood flow by labeling red blood cells.
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