LCD/NCD Portal

NCD160.5 STEREOTAXIC DEPTH ELECTRODE IMPLANTATION

 

 

Effective Date of this Version

 

• This is a longstanding national coverage determination.

• The effective date of this version has not been posted.

 

Benefit Category

 

• Diagnostic Tests (other)

• Note: This may not be an exhaustive list of all applicable Medicare benefit categories for this item or service.

 

 

Item/Service Description

 

• The procedure employs thin wire electrodes which are implanted in the brain of the focal epileptic patient for electroencephalograph (EEG) monitoring.

• By taking several readings during seizure activity, the location of the epileptic focus may be found, so that better informed decisions can be made regarding the surgical treatment of persons with intractable seizures.

 

 

Indications and Limitations of Coverage

 

• Stereotaxic depth electrode implantation prior to surgical treatment of focal epilepsy for patients who are unresponsive to anticonvulsant medications has been found both safe and effective for diagnosing resectable seizure foci that may go undetected by conventional scalp EEGs.

 

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