61050 Remove brain canal fluid
Also known as: brain aspiration, parenchymal puncture, brain tissue aspiration
Percutaneous needle aspiration of the brain's cerebrospinal fluid through puncture of the brain parenchyma for diagnostic sampling or therapeutic drainage.
In Plain Language
needle sampling of brain fluid; direct brain drainage
Clinical Context
Rarely performed due to risk of brain injury; primarily reserved for diagnosis of diffuse CNS infection or suspected abscess when other routes unavailable. Requires image guidance for safety.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.47 |
| Total RVU | 1.47 |
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 1.47, this code ranks in the 9th percentile among Surgery codes — 5.4x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 61050?
CPT 61050 (Remove brain canal fluid) is a Surgery code. Percutaneous needle aspiration of the brain's cerebrospinal fluid through puncture of the brain parenchyma for diagnostic sampling or therapeutic drainage.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 61050?
The work RVU for CPT 61050 is 1.47. This code is primarily used by neurosurgery, neuroradiology.
When is CPT 61050 used?
Rarely performed due to risk of brain injury; primarily reserved for diagnosis of diffuse CNS infection or suspected abscess when other routes unavailable. Requires image 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.