Patterns of healthcare resource utilization prior to anterior cervical decompression and fusion in patients with radiculopathy

Article Figures & Data

Table 1

CPT and ICD-9 codes included within our Data Analysis.

CPT or ICD-9 Code	Procedure definition
22551 (2011 primary code)	Arthrodesis, anterior interbody, including disc space preparation, discectomy, osteophytectomy, and decompression of spinal cord and/or nerve roots. Below C2
22554 and 63075 (prior to 2011)	Arthrodesis, anterior interbody, including disc space preparation, discectomy, osteophytectomy, and decompression of spinal cord and/or nerve roots. Below C2
723.4 and 729.2	Radiculopathy
722.2, 722.4 and 722.6	Disc displacement/degeneration

Table 2

ICD-9 codes use to identify pre-op diagnoses related to ACDF procedure.

ICD-9	Diagnosis
722.2	Displacement of intervertebral disc, site unspecified, without myelopathy
722.4	Degeneration of cervical intervertebral disc
722.6	Degeneration of intervertebral disc, site unspecified
723.4	Brachial neuritis or radiculitis NOS
729.2	Neuralgia, neuritis, and radiculitis, unspecified

Table 3

Pre-operative diagnoses for ACDF patients.

Hyperlipidemia	16.8%
Diabetes mellitus	8.8%
Obesity	6.4%
Depressive disorders	3.1%
Anxiety disorders	12.3%
Migraine	6.8%
Hypertension	29.9%
Ischemic heart disease	2.1%
Valve disease	1.0%
Cardiac dysrhythmias	2.9%
Congestive heart failure	*
Cerebrovascular disease	1.3%
Back pain	43.5%
Cervical pain	98.7%
Arthritis	8.1%
Fibromyalgia	17.6%
Painful neuropathic disorders	100.0%
Gout	0.8%
Other body/joint pain	100.0%
Other diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissues	100.0%
Fatigue	6.9%
Headache	10.8%
Chest pain	6.6%
Abdominal pain	3.6%
Sprains and strains	33.1%
Dislocations and fractures	*
Sleep disorders	6.1%

Table 4

CPT Codes related to imaging for the Cervical Spine.

CPT	Description	No. of Patients	Charge
CPT-72040	Radiologic examination, spine, cervical; two or three views	699	$113,578
CPT-72050	Radiologic examination, spine, cervical; minimum of four views	592	$143,072
CPT-72052	Radiologic examination, spine, cervical; complete, including oblique and flexion and/or extension studies
CPT-72125	Computed tomography, cervical spine;without contrast material	248 233	$62,903 $274,876
CPT-72126	Computed tomography, cervical spine;with contrast material	164	$202,803
CPT-72141	Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imag-ing, spinal canal and contents, cervical;without contrast material	1680	$2,865,059
CPT-72142	Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, cervical; with contrast material(s)	Lessthan 22	$12,714