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Balloon Assisted Embolization of the Cerebral AVM - Scepter Mini Balloon

Date: May 16, 2023

Question:

On balloon assisted embolization of the cerebral AVM would the Scepter Mini balloon be separately coded, provider requested 95999. Left Occipital AVM S-M grade 2, main arterial feeder distal left PCA, aneurysm

Scepter mini balloon was prepped and introduced into the intermediate guide catheter over microwire and placed distal left PCA over microwire. Super selective run from distal left PCA demonstrated good position of the scepter mini, with good visualization of the AVM as well as intravenous gadolinium verses distal arterial aneurysm .3mg Brevital was give, no change in neural monitoring. The balloon was inflated gently underlive fluoroscopic guidance. Next, balloon catheter was prepped with DMSO and subsequently ONYX 18 was injected in under live fluoroscopy guidance to embolize the AVM and the aneurysm, The balloon was deflated and subsequently removed.

With embolization procedures 61624,  would these also be coded with unlisted 95999, comparison code?

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