What does CPT code 31231 include?

Nasal endoscopy
The CPT code 31231 Nasal endoscopy, diagnostic, unilateral or bilateral (separate procedure) explains that “Diagnostic evaluation refers to employing a nasal/sinus endoscope to inspect the interior of the nasal cavity and the middle and superior meatus, the turbinates, and the sphenoethmoid recess.

What is the CPT code 31256?

CPT code 31256 is correct for maxillary antrostomy without removal of tissue, however, 31267 is used when tissue is removed. For the left side, the combination code 31259-LT is reported. Q: At our facility, turbinate resection/excision is done endoscopically along with other sinus procedures.

What is CPT code for inferior turbinate reduction?

A: You should code this service with CPT code 30140 – Submucous resection inferior turbinate, partial or complete, any method with modifier 50- Bilateral procedures.

What is the difference between CPT 30130 and 30140?

The RT and LT would represent which side each procedure was carried out. Facts: Normally, you’d code 30130 or 30140 separately with septoplasty or a functional endoscopic sinus surgery is carried out along with an inferior turbinate removal, either excision (30130) or submucous resection (30140), preserving the mucosa.

What is the CPT code 31255?

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Codes
CPT Code Description
31255 Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical; with ethmoidectomy, total (anterior and posterior)
31256 Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical; with maxillary antrostomy
31267 Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical; with maxillary antrostomy; with removal of tissue from maxillary sinus
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Dec 1, 2008

What is the CPT code 31253?

Endoscopy Procedures
CPT® 31253, Under Endoscopy Procedures on the Accessory Sinuses. The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code 31253 as maintained by American Medical Association, is a medical procedural code under the range – Endoscopy Procedures on the Accessory Sinuses.

What is inferior turbinate Outfracture?

An outfracture involves breaking the small bones of the turbinates and pushing them away from the nasal passageway. This operation allows more room for the turbinates to swell without causing a nasal blockage. The procedure can either be performed under general anesthesia or a local anesthetic with a sedative.

What is inferior turbinate?

The inferior nasal turbinates are the largest and located lowest in the nose. They are also the most likely to become enlarged. This condition is called inferior turbinate hypertrophy. A turbinate becomes enlarged when the mucosa gets inflamed due to rhinitis or chronic sinusitis.

Is CPT code 30140 a bilateral code?

CPT code 30140 is considered to be unilateral and would be billed with bilateral modifier-50. Turbinoplasty and outfracture are sometimes performed together. According to NCCI edits or CPT descriptions, CPT code 30930 should not be billed with 30140.

Where are the turbinates in your nose?

The turbinates are made of bone and soft tissue and are located inside the nose near the septum. The nasal septum is the structure that divides your nasal passages into the right and left sides. It is made up of cartilage and bone, which are lined with a thin membrane called the mucosa.

When is turbinate reduction necessary?

When patients constantly feel as if they are congested and stuffy, they may be in need of turbinate reduction to open these nasal airways once again to re-establish normal breathing. Inferior turbinates may become permanently enlarged and thickened often by chronic inhalant allergic stimulation or a deviated septum.

What is a septoplasty and turbinate reduction?

Repairing or straightening a deviated septum and reducing enlarged turbinates is a common nasal surgery done under general anesthesia. A small incision is made inside the nose and the thin plate of cartilage and bone in the center of the nose is repaired.

What is hypertrophied inferior turbinates?

Turbinate hypertrophy, inferior turbinate hypertrophy, and nasal turbinate hypertrophy are all descriptions of a similar condition where the tissue on the lateral (outside) walls of the nose are too large, causing nasal obstruction.

What bone forms the most inferior turbinate?

The inferior nasal concha is the most caudally based of the three nasal conchae. While the superior and middle nasal conchae form part of the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone, the inferior nasal concha is a bony structure by itself.

What are conchae in anatomy?

nasal concha, also called Turbinate, or Turbinal, any of several thin, scroll-shaped bony elements forming the upper chambers of the nasal cavities. They increase the surface area of these cavities, thus providing for rapid warming and humidification of air as it passes to the lungs.

What causes enlarged middle turbinate?

Enlarged (Hypertrophied) Turbinates

In some cases, the turbinates enlarge as a reaction to seasonal allergens. Sometimes, enlargement is caused by environmental irritants. Chronic sinusitis, which causes persistent inflammation in the nasal passages, may also trigger chronic swelling of the turbinates.

What is the cause of hypertrophied turbinates?

Turbinate hypertrophy is typically caused when the lining of the skin covering the turbinate bone becomes enlarged and swollen. This can be an acute (one time) or chronic (ongoing) problem, and can be caused by many conditions including: Upper respiratory infection, or the common cold. Acute sinus infection.

What is the function of the turbinates quizlet?

The mucous membrane covering of the turbinates help moisten and clean air as it enters the nose and nasal cavity.

Can enlarged turbinates cause eye pain?

If one or both of your upper turbinates are swollen (or being pushed on by the middle wall of the nose), you may experience a nasal headache – pressure beneath your eyes and pain in, around, or above your eyes.

Can swollen turbinates cause ear pain?

Eustachian tube dysfunction can result in symptoms like pain in one or both ears, tinnitus, hearing difficulties and a sensation of blocked ears. Depending on the cause, it may be resolved by nasal sprays or require a medical procedure.

Can enlarged turbinates cause ear problems?

Conclusions: Patients with inferior turbinate enlargement have more symptoms related to Eustachian tube dysfunction than healthy controls. Most patients with Eustachian tube dysfunction had normal tympanometry and normal otoscopy, which indicates a baro-challenge-induced Eustachian tube dysfunction.

Can swollen turbinates cause vertigo?

Sinusitis vertigo is vertigo caused by a buildup of mucus in the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube runs from the inner ear to your throat. It’s part of the system that helps you maintain your balance.

Can swollen turbinates cause sinus pressure?

The swelling of the turbinates creates excess mucous, often filling and blocking the sinuses. The turbinates may block the outflow of mucus from the sinuses and prevent the inflow into the sinuses. This swelling causes the facial pressure.

Can enlarged turbinates cause shortness of breath?

What are the possible complications of turbinate hypertrophy? Untreated turbinate hypertrophy can cause symptoms to get worse. A person can develop severe difficulty breathing through their nose. This makes it hard to get restful sleep.

What is the difference between vertigo and dizziness?

Dizziness can be a range of sensations including feeling light-headed, faint, woozy, unsteady or off-balance. Vertigo is a type of dizziness that feels as though you or your surroundings are spinning.