61000 Remove cranial cavity fluid
Also known as: ventricular tap, lateral ventricle puncture, intraventricular aspiration
Percutaneous needle aspiration of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the lateral ventricle(s) of the brain, performed for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
In Plain Language
needle drainage of brain fluid; spinal tap variant
Clinical Context
Performed for diagnosis of ventriculitis, obturation of communicating hydrocephalus, therapeutic CSF drainage, or drug administration. Often emergency procedure for symptoms of elevated intracranial pressure from acute obstructive hydrocephalus.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.54 |
| Total RVU | 1.54 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 0-day global period, meaning pre- and post-operative E&M visits are billable separately on the same day. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 1.54, this code ranks in the 10th percentile among Surgery codes — 5.2x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 61000?
CPT 61000 (Remove cranial cavity fluid) is a Surgery code. Percutaneous needle aspiration of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the lateral ventricle(s) of the brain, performed for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 61000?
The work RVU for CPT 61000 is 1.54. This code is primarily used by neurosurgery, critical care medicine.
When is CPT 61000 used?
Performed for diagnosis of ventriculitis, obturation of communicating hydrocephalus, therapeutic CSF drainage, or drug administration. Often emergency procedure for symptoms of elevated intracranial pressure from acute obstructive hydrocephalus.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.