61001 Remove cranial cavity fluid
Also known as: cranial aspiration, brain puncture, needle aspiration of brain
Percutaneous needle aspiration or injection procedure in the cranial cavity, including puncture of brain tissue for diagnostic purposes or therapeutic agent administration.
In Plain Language
needle procedure on brain; sampling of brain area
Clinical Context
Used for diagnostic biopsy, evaluation of suspected infection or hemorrhage, CSF sampling, or therapeutic injection of medications. Requires precise stereotactic or ultrasound guidance for safety.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.45 |
| Total RVU | 1.45 |
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 1.45, this code ranks in the 8th percentile among Surgery codes — 5.5x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 61001?
CPT 61001 (Remove cranial cavity fluid) is a Surgery code. Percutaneous needle aspiration or injection procedure in the cranial cavity, including puncture of brain tissue for diagnostic purposes or therapeutic agent administration.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 61001?
The work RVU for CPT 61001 is 1.45. This code is primarily used by neurosurgery, neuroradiology.
When is CPT 61001 used?
Used for diagnostic biopsy, evaluation of suspected infection or hemorrhage, CSF sampling, or therapeutic injection of medications. Requires precise stereotactic or ultrasound guidance for safety.
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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.