61026 Injection into brain canal
Also known as: intraventricular injection, ventricular injection, intrathecal injection
Percutaneous puncture and injection of medication, contrast material, or other substance into the cerebral ventricles (intraventricular injection).
In Plain Language
injection of medication into brain fluid space; brain cavity injection
Clinical Context
Used for intrathecal chemotherapy, antibiotic administration in ventriculitis, or intrathecal medication delivery for neurologic conditions. Requires careful dosing and technique to prevent toxicity or infection.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.65 |
| Total RVU | 1.65 |
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 1.65, this code ranks in the 10th percentile among Surgery codes — 4.8x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 61026?
CPT 61026 (Injection into brain canal) is a Surgery code. Percutaneous puncture and injection of medication, contrast material, or other substance into the cerebral ventricles (intraventricular injection).
What is the wRVU value for CPT 61026?
The work RVU for CPT 61026 is 1.65. This code is primarily used by neurosurgery, neuroradiology, oncology.
When is CPT 61026 used?
Used for intrathecal chemotherapy, antibiotic administration in ventriculitis, or intrathecal medication delivery for neurologic conditions. Requires careful dosing and technique to prevent toxicity or infection.
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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.