ICD-10-PCS Code For Cerebrospinal Fluid: Procedure Code Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) code group C015 includes procedures performed to introduce radioactive materials for planar nuclear medicine imaging in the cerebrospinal fluid. These ICD-10-PCS codes are used for inpatient documentation when radiopharmaceuticals are administered into the cerebrospinal fluid to obtain single‑plane diagnostic images of central nervous system structures or flow. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-PCS C015 group is essential for proper inpatient reimbursement, as it captures the imaging procedure performed and supports clinical documentation accuracy.

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Cerebrospinal Fluid Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging Procedure Overview

This procedure group includes planar nuclear medicine imaging studies that introduce radioactive materials into the cerebrospinal fluid to capture single‑plane images from emitted radioactivity. Procedures target the central nervous system and involve administration of radiopharmaceuticals into the cerebrospinal fluid spaces to visualize flow or pathology. Accurate ICD-10-PCS coding in this group ensures inpatient documentation reflects the imaging performed and supports appropriate reimbursement.

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
C	Section	Nuclear Medicine
0	Body System	Central Nervous System
1	Operation	Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging
5	Body Part	Cerebrospinal Fluid

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ICD-10-PCS Code For Cerebrospinal Fluid: Procedure Code Group Overview

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Cerebrospinal Fluid Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
C	Section	Nuclear Medicine
0	Body System	Central Nervous System
1	Operation	Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging
5	Body Part	Cerebrospinal Fluid

When to Use

Use a code from this group when a radiopharmaceutical is intentionally introduced into the cerebrospinal fluid to perform single‑plane planar imaging. These codes apply when the clinical goal is to visualize cerebrospinal fluid flow or central nervous system pathology using nuclear medicine techniques.

ICD-10-PCS Codes

2 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
C015DZZ	Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Cerebrospinal Fluid using Indium 111 (In-111)
C015YZZ	Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Cerebrospinal Fluid using Other Radionuclide

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An elderly patient presents to the hospital with new-onset, progressive gait disturbance and cognitive decline concerning for normal pressure hydrocephalus versus alternative causes of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow obstruction. Inpatient evaluation includes a diagnostic radionuclide CSF flow study where a radiopharmaceutical is introduced into the CSF and planar images are obtained to assess ventriculoperitoneal shunt candidacy and CSF circulation. Typical codes: C015DZZ, C015YZZ
A hospitalized patient with a subacute post–intracranial hemorrhage clinical course develops signs suggesting altered CSF dynamics and persistent hydrocephalus; neurosurgery requests imaging of CSF flow to guide the need for shunt placement or external ventricular drain management. The procedure performed is injection of a radiotracer into the cerebrospinal fluid followed by single‑plane nuclear medicine imaging to visualize CSF distribution and flow pathways. Typical codes: C015DZZ
A pediatric patient with suspected CSF leak and recurrent meningitis is admitted for evaluation when noninvasive studies are inconclusive; to localize CSF communication and confirm intrathecal tracer movement, a radionuclide tracer is administered into the CSF and planar imaging is obtained. Typical codes: C015YZZ

Related Codes

C010-BRAIN-PLANAR-IMAGING

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

C01Y-CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM-PLANAR-IMAGING

ICD-10-PCS Code For Central Nervous System: 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

2 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
C015DZZ	Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Cerebrospinal Fluid using Indium 111 (In-111)
C015YZZ	Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Cerebrospinal Fluid using Other Radionuclide

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An elderly patient presents to the hospital with new-onset, progressive gait disturbance and cognitive decline concerning for normal pressure hydrocephalus versus alternative causes of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow obstruction. Inpatient evaluation includes a diagnostic radionuclide CSF flow study where a radiopharmaceutical is introduced into the CSF and planar images are obtained to assess ventriculoperitoneal shunt candidacy and CSF circulation. Typical codes: C015DZZ, C015YZZ
A hospitalized patient with a subacute post–intracranial hemorrhage clinical course develops signs suggesting altered CSF dynamics and persistent hydrocephalus; neurosurgery requests imaging of CSF flow to guide the need for shunt placement or external ventricular drain management. The procedure performed is injection of a radiotracer into the cerebrospinal fluid followed by single‑plane nuclear medicine imaging to visualize CSF distribution and flow pathways. Typical codes: C015DZZ
A pediatric patient with suspected CSF leak and recurrent meningitis is admitted for evaluation when noninvasive studies are inconclusive; to localize CSF communication and confirm intrathecal tracer movement, a radionuclide tracer is administered into the CSF and planar imaging is obtained. Typical codes: C015YZZ

Related Codes

C010-BRAIN-PLANAR-IMAGING

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

C01Y-CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM-PLANAR-IMAGING

ICD-10-PCS Code For Central Nervous System: 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.

ICD-10-PCS Code For Cerebrospinal Fluid: Procedure Code Group Overview

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Cerebrospinal Fluid Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

ICD-10-PCS Code For Cerebrospinal Fluid: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Cerebrospinal Fluid: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Cerebrospinal Fluid Planar Nuclear Medicine Imaging Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which procedures are included in the Cerebrospinal Fluid ICD-10-PCS C015 group?

What is the primary operation and body system for C015 codes?

When should C015 ICD-10-PCS codes be used for inpatient documentation?

How do the C015 codes support reimbursement and billing?

What specific radionuclide options are represented in the C015 code group?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which procedures are included in the Cerebrospinal Fluid ICD-10-PCS C015 group?

What is the primary operation and body system for C015 codes?

When should C015 ICD-10-PCS codes be used for inpatient documentation?

How do the C015 codes support reimbursement and billing?

What specific radionuclide options are represented in the C015 code group?

References