AMA Clinical Examples in Radiology - 2011 Issue 4 (Fall)
Pulmonary Ventilation and Perfusion Scan
Pulmonary Ventilation and Perfusion Scan Clinical History An 18-year-old male with chest pain and elevated D-dimer; chest X ray is normal. Procedure Pulmonary ventilation and perfusion scan. A9567 A9540 78582 The patient inhaled approximately 32 mCi of Technetium-99m DTPA aerosol and ventilation images of the lungs were obtained in eight planes. After the ventilation images were obtained, the patient was injected intravenously with 6 mCi of Technetium-99m MAA and corresponding perfusion images of the lungs were obtained. Findings The ventilation study shows a generally homogeneous pattern of ventilation bilaterally with some mild central retention of activity that could be...
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Article Overview
This article explains how a pulmonary ventilation and perfusion study is documented and coded in nuclear medicine, with attention to the associated radiopharmaceutical supply codes and the CPT respiratory code changes discussed for the 2012 update. It is aimed at coders, billers, and other revenue cycle professionals who work with pulmonary scintigraphy, nuclear medicine procedures, and HCPCS/CPT reporting. The discussion also places the study in a broader clinical context and notes why separate reporting of supplies matters in hospital and payer payment systems.
Why This Topic Matters
Correctly identifying the procedure, related supplies, and the updated code family helps ensure accurate claims reporting and preserves charge data used in payment calculations.
Article Sections
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Clinical History
Brief patient context for the imaging study and the reason it was performed.
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Procedure
Overview of the imaging study performed and the associated HCPCS and CPT identifiers referenced in the case.
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Findings
Summary of the imaging observations from the ventilation and perfusion portions of the study.
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Impression
Overall interpretive statement describing the result of the examination.
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How to Code
Coding-focused discussion of the procedure and separately reported radiopharmaceutical supply codes, including related code-family context.
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Coding Tips
General guidance on reporting nuclear medicine procedure services and related supplies in different settings.
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Discussion
Broader overview of pulmonary scintigraphy uses, typical imaging workflow, and the respiratory code family changes referenced in the article.
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References
Citations to external professional and guideline sources mentioned by the article.
What You Will Learn
- What pulmonary ventilation and perfusion imaging is used for
- How the article frames nuclear medicine reporting for the study
- How related supply reporting is discussed alongside the procedure
- What general CPT respiratory code update topics are covered
- What broader clinical uses of pulmonary scintigraphy are described
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing specialists
- Revenue cycle staff
- Nuclear medicine staff
- Radiology coding professionals
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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