Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)

SPECT is covered for assessing osteomyelitis (bone vs soft tissue), detecting spondylolysis and stress fractures not seen on x‑ray, diagnosing/assessing hepatic hemangiomas, V/P SPECT for pulmonary embolism, and differentiating necrotic tissue from brain tumor. SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging is excluded as experimental/investigational for routine screening after PTCA/stenting or CABG prior to discharge or within 2 years post‑revascularization if asymptomatic (except patients with CHF may need annual post‑revascularization imaging), and is also excluded for assessment of vulnerable plaque, evaluation during hemodynamic instability/acute coronary events, immediate post‑MI/post‑thrombolytic periods, or when there is a high pretest likelihood of significant coronary disease (eg, marked ST elevation).

"Localization of abscess for suspected or known localized infection or inflammatory process"