CT Guidance Wire?????
Does anyone know what this is. I'm getting a CT scan of the lower back prior to starting my radiation therapy after the first of the year.
My insurance approval for the radiation also includes: "99213 - a special picture of the body to put a wire in the body (CT guidance)."
Looking up the code, it says it's an office visit. I was never told of anything invasive for my therapy so I'm surprised to see this and can't imagine what it is. I do have a call in to the doctor but in the meantime it's pretty confusing.
Hi
. Your questions are certainly understandable. A CT or an MRI is often used to map out the location of the prostate and any tumors prior to radiation with external beam radiation (see: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/prostate-cancer/radiation-therapy-for-prostate-cancer). Do you mind if I ask what kind of radiation you are planning? I ask because high-dose rate brachytherapy can require that tubes that "are connected to a machine that feeds wires containing radioactive sources into the prostate. The radioactive wires are left in place for a set amount of time, typically several minutes. You may hear clicking noises as the machine adjusts the wires. Then the radioactive wires are removed. The procedure may be repeated a few times, depending on your specific treatment plan:" https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/prostate-brachytherapy/about/pac-20384949. Your doctors should be able to provide additional information and answers to your questions. Please feel free to keep us posted on the treatment you are receiving and how you are doing. Best, Richard (ProstateCancer.net Team) 
In my situation I was offered 2 options - surgery or radiation. Due to my high Gleason I was not offered brachytherapy ( seed implants) I chose surgery as my first option. Several years later a rising PSA required radiation treatment along with Lupron. I did undergo a CT scan in advance of radiation. Not sure how much my experience helps I just know apparently a scan is apparently "normaI" ... good luck and keep us posted as you learn more
My mistake, above, the service code is 77014, not what I stated above. The doctors office said there's no invasive procedure despite that wire business. I go in on Thursday for "simulation" prior to my radiation therapy starting next year (8 weeks, I believe External Beam). I'll bring in my insurance approval letter then and see what I can find out about it.
Asked the Doctor about this, he said it was insurance company terminology related to the simulation and irrelevant to my radiation therapy.
