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National Imaging Associates, Inc.
Clinical guidelines
TEMPORAL BONE, MASTOID CT
(Includes outer, mid & inner ear)
CPT Codes: 70480, 70481, 70482
NCD 220.1
Guideline Number: NIA_CG_006
Responsible Department:
Clinical Operations
Original Date:
Page 1 of 4
September 1997
Last Review Date:
Last Effective Date:
Last Revised Date:
Implementation Date:
September 2014
March 2008
October 2011
January 2015
“FOR CMS (MEDICARE) MEMBERS ONLY”
NATIONAL COVERAGE DETERMINATION (NCD) FOR COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY:
Item/Service Description
A.
General
Diagnostic examinations of the head (head scans) and of other parts of the body (body
scans) performed by computerized tomography (CT) scanners are covered if medical and
scientific literature and opinion support the effective use of a scan for the condition, and the
scan is: (1) reasonable and necessary for the individual patient; and (2) performed on a
model of CT equipment that meets the criteria in C below.
CT scans have become the primary diagnostic tool for many conditions and symptoms. CT
scanning used as the primary diagnostic tool can be cost effective because it can eliminate
the need for a series of other tests, is non-invasive and thus virtually eliminates
complications, and does not require hospitalization.
Indications and Limitations of Coverage for NCD 221.0
B.
Determining Whether a CT Scan Is Reasonable and Necessary
Sufficient information must be provided with claims to differentiate CT scans from other
radiology services and to make coverage determinations. Carefully review claims to insure
that a scan is reasonable and necessary for the individual patient; i.e., the use must be
found to be medically appropriate considering the patient's symptoms and preliminary
diagnosis.
There is no general rule that requires other diagnostic tests to be tried before CT scanning
is used. However, in an individual case the contractor's medical staff may determine that
use of a CT scan as the initial diagnostic test was not reasonable and necessary because it
was not supported by the patient's symptoms or complaints stated on the claim form; e.g.,
"periodic headaches."
Claims for CT scans are reviewed for evidence of abuse which might include the absence of
reasonable indications for the scans, an excessive number of scans or unnecessarily
expensive types of scans considering the facts in the particular cases.
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Proprietary
NIA CLINICAL GUIDELINE FOR TEMPORAL BONE MASTOID CT:
INTRODUCTION:
Temporal bone/mastoid computed tomography (CT) is a unique study performed for
problems such as conductive hearing loss, chronic otitis media, mastoiditis, cholesteatoma,
congenital hearing loss and cochlear implants. It is a modality of choice because it provides
3D positional information and offers contrast for different tissue types.
INDICATIONS FOR TEMPORAL BONE, MASTOID CT:
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For evaluation of conductive hearing loss.
For evaluation of chronic otitis media, ear infections or drainage.
For evaluation of mastoiditis.
For evaluation of cholesteatoma.
For evaluation of congenital hearing loss or deformity.
For evaluation of dehiscence of the jugular bulb or carotid canal.
For evaluation of aberrant blood vessels or malformations.
For evaluation of cochlear implants.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATED TO TEMPORAL BONE, MASTOID CT:
Request for a follow-up study - A follow-up study may be needed to help evaluate a patient’s
progress after treatment, procedure, intervention or surgery. Documentation requires a
medical reason that clearly indicates why additional imaging is needed for the type and
area(s) requested.
Conductive Hearing Loss – Conductive hearing loss may be caused by fluid in the middle
ear resulting from otitis media or from eustachian tube obstruction. CT scans may
demonstrate underlying problems due to its aid in visualization of the middle ear space and
the mastoid.
Chronic Otitis – When the eustachian tube is blocked for long periods of time, the middle
ear may become infected with bacteria. The infection sometimes spreads into the mastoid
bone behind the ear. Chronic otitis may be due to chronic mucosal disease or cholesteatoma
and it may cause permanent damage to the ear. CT scans of the mastoids may show
spreading of the infection beyond the middle ear.
Mastoiditis – CT is an effective diagnostic tool in determining the type of therapy for
mastoiditis, a complication of acute otitis media leading to infection in the mastoid process.
Cholesteatoma – A cholesteatoma is a cyst-like mass occurring most commonly in the
middle ear and mastoid region. CT scanning may help to determine the extent of the
disease process. It can determine the extent of cholesteatoma by showing the combination
of a soft tissue mass and bone erosion.
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Congenital Hearing Loss - Genetic factors and factors present either in utero or at time of
birth may cause congenital hearing loss in children. High-resolution CT provides the
examination of choice furnishing anatomic detail for planning a surgical approach
Cochlear Implants – Cochlear implants provide an opportunity to restore partial hearing.
The electronic device, surgically implanted, converts sound to an electrical signal. CT
allows the visualization of cochlear anatomy and provides 3D positional information. CT
also offers contrast for different tissue types and may be used even when the implant is in
place.
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REFERENCES
Jager, L., Bonell, H., Liebl, M., Srivastav, S., Arbusow, V., Hempel, M., & Reiser, M. (2005).
CT of the normal temporal bone: Comparison of multi– and single–detector row CT.
Radiology, 23, 133-141. doi: 10.1148/radiol.2351020895.
Jain, R., & Mukherji, S.K. (2003). Cochlear implant failure: Imaging evaluation of the
electrode course. Clinical Radiology, 8(4), 288-293. Retrieved from
http://www.clinicalradiologyonline.net/article/S0009-9260(02)00523-8/abstract.
Whiting, B.R., Holden, T.A., Brunsden, B.S., Finley, C.C., & Skinner, M.W. (2008). Use of
computed tomography scans for cochlear implants. Journal of Digital Imaging 2008;
21(3):323-328. doi: 10.1007/s10278-007-9045-4.
Yates, P.D., Flood, L.M., Banerjee, A., & Cliford, K. (2002). CT scanning of middle ear
cholesteatoma: What does the surgeon want to know? British Journal of Radiology, 75,
847-852. Retrieved from http://bjr.birjournals.org/content/75/898/847.long.
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