ICD-10-PCS Code For Thoracic Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) code group BR27 includes procedures performed to image structures in the thoracic spine using computerized tomography. These ICD-10-PCS codes are used for inpatient documentation when multiplanar, computer reformatted images of the thoracic vertebrae and surrounding tissues are obtained from multiple exposures of external ionizing radiation. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-PCS BR27 group is essential for proper inpatient reimbursement, as it captures the imaging procedure performed and determines appropriate case mix and payment.

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Thoracic Spine Computerized Tomography Procedure Overview

This procedure group includes computerized tomography imaging of the thoracic spine within the axial skeleton body system. Procedures in this group involve capture and computer reformatting of multiple external ionizing radiation exposures to generate multiplanar images of thoracic vertebrae and adjacent structures. Accurate ICD-10-PCS coding ensures the inpatient record reflects the imaging performed and supports appropriate case mix assignment and reimbursement.

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
R	Body System	Axial Skeleton, Except Skull and Facial Bones
2	Operation	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan)
7	Body Part	Thoracic Spine

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ICD-10-PCS Code For Thoracic Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

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Thoracic Spine Computerized Tomography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
R	Body System	Axial Skeleton, Except Skull and Facial Bones
2	Operation	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan)
7	Body Part	Thoracic Spine

When to Use

Use a code from this group when inpatient care includes a computerized tomography scan of the thoracic spine that produces computer reformatted multiplanar images from multiple external radiation exposures. Codes in this group apply when the imaging study is performed for diagnostic evaluation, preoperative planning, or assessment of thoracic spine pathology during the inpatient stay.

ICD-10-PCS Codes

4 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BR270ZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Thoracic Spine using High Osmolar Contrast
BR271ZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Thoracic Spine using Low Osmolar Contrast
BR27YZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Thoracic Spine using Other Contrast
BR27ZZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Thoracic Spine

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An elderly patient is admitted after a fall with acute mid‑back pain and neurologic symptoms such as unilateral lower extremity weakness; inpatient clinicians request detailed imaging to assess for thoracic vertebral fracture, spinal canal compromise, or epidural hematoma to guide urgent surgical or medical management. A CT scan of the thoracic spine with multiplanar reformats is performed to delineate bony injury and adjacent soft tissues. Typical codes: BR27ZZZ
A middle‑aged patient with known metastatic cancer is hospitalized for worsening thoracic spine pain and progressive signs of spinal cord compression; the team needs high‑resolution cross‑sectional images to plan radiotherapy or surgical stabilization during the admission. A contrast‑enhanced CT with computer reformatting is obtained to evaluate tumor extent and vertebral involvement. Typical codes: BR270ZZ, BR271ZZ
A patient in the inpatient setting has persistent, unexplained thoracic back pain after prior spine instrumentation elsewhere, and there is concern for postoperative complication such as hardware malposition or adjacent vertebral pathology; noninvasive multiplanar CT imaging is ordered to evaluate hardware position, osseous fusion, and surrounding structures. Typical codes: BR27ZZZ, BR27YZZ

ICD-10-PCS Code For Cervical Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

BR29-LUMBAR-SPINE-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Lumbar Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

BR2C-PELVIS-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Pelvis: Procedure Code Group Overview

BR2D-SACROILIAC-JOINTS-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Sacroiliac Joints: Procedure Code Group Overview

BR2F-SACRUM-AND-COCCYX-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Sacrum And Coccyx: Procedure Code Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

4 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BR270ZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Thoracic Spine using High Osmolar Contrast
BR271ZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Thoracic Spine using Low Osmolar Contrast
BR27YZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Thoracic Spine using Other Contrast
BR27ZZZ	Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) of Thoracic Spine

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An elderly patient is admitted after a fall with acute mid‑back pain and neurologic symptoms such as unilateral lower extremity weakness; inpatient clinicians request detailed imaging to assess for thoracic vertebral fracture, spinal canal compromise, or epidural hematoma to guide urgent surgical or medical management. A CT scan of the thoracic spine with multiplanar reformats is performed to delineate bony injury and adjacent soft tissues. Typical codes: BR27ZZZ
A middle‑aged patient with known metastatic cancer is hospitalized for worsening thoracic spine pain and progressive signs of spinal cord compression; the team needs high‑resolution cross‑sectional images to plan radiotherapy or surgical stabilization during the admission. A contrast‑enhanced CT with computer reformatting is obtained to evaluate tumor extent and vertebral involvement. Typical codes: BR270ZZ, BR271ZZ
A patient in the inpatient setting has persistent, unexplained thoracic back pain after prior spine instrumentation elsewhere, and there is concern for postoperative complication such as hardware malposition or adjacent vertebral pathology; noninvasive multiplanar CT imaging is ordered to evaluate hardware position, osseous fusion, and surrounding structures. Typical codes: BR27ZZZ, BR27YZZ

ICD-10-PCS Code For Cervical Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

BR29-LUMBAR-SPINE-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Lumbar Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

BR2C-PELVIS-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Pelvis: Procedure Code Group Overview

BR2D-SACROILIAC-JOINTS-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Sacroiliac Joints: Procedure Code Group Overview

BR2F-SACRUM-AND-COCCYX-COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Sacrum And Coccyx: Procedure Code Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

OpenPayer

ICD-10-PCS Code For Thoracic Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

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Thoracic Spine Computerized Tomography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

OpenPayer

ICD-10-PCS Code For Thoracic Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

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Thoracic Spine Computerized Tomography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

References

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

References

ICD-10-PCS Code For Thoracic Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Thoracic Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Thoracic Spine Computerized Tomography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

ICD-10-PCS Code For Thoracic Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Thoracic Spine: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Thoracic Spine Computerized Tomography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

What procedures are included in ICD-10-PCS code group BR27?

Which specific ICD-10-PCS codes are part of BR27 and how do they differ?

What is the primary purpose of accurate coding within the BR27 group?

Under which ICD-10-PCS section and body system are BR27 procedures classified?

When should BR27 codes be used in inpatient documentation?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

What procedures are included in ICD-10-PCS code group BR27?

Which specific ICD-10-PCS codes are part of BR27 and how do they differ?

What is the primary purpose of accurate coding within the BR27 group?

Under which ICD-10-PCS section and body system are BR27 procedures classified?

When should BR27 codes be used in inpatient documentation?

References