Pediatric Neck Imaging Guidelines

This policy covers pediatric neck imaging—CT, MRI (including contrast and unlisted MRI/CT for radiation planning/surgical software), CTA, PET, and nuclear medicine—for patients <18 years with common pediatric neck conditions such as neck masses, cervical lymphadenopathy, dystonia/torticollis, dysphagia, thyroid/parathyroid disorders, and esophageal or tracheal pathology. Advanced imaging requires documented active clinical signs/symptoms and a pertinent clinical evaluation (history, exam, appropriate labs); atypical or uncommon presentations require physician review, repeat imaging is not indicated without progression or management impact, and some CPT codes are unlisted or rarely used in pediatrics and require supporting documentation.

"Trachea (PEDNECK-8)"

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