Gilbert JW, Wheeler GR, Mick GE, Herder SL, Richardson GB, Storey BB, Broughton PG, Kenney CM. Magnetic resonance angiography of the circle of Willis in patients with symptomatic intracranial neuropathology: medicare LCD L25367(R4).
J Neuroimaging 2011;
22:118-21. [PMID:
21281379 DOI:
10.1111/j.1552-6569.2010.00500.x]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with symptomatic intracranial neuropathology such as atherosclerotic occlusive disease or unruptured aneurysms face high risks for morbidity and mortality. Magnetic resonance angiography of the circle of Willis is an important tool used to detect and diagnose intracranial neuropathology; however, recent changes to the Medicare local coverage determinations for this procedure threaten to compromise the physician's ability to deliver this current standard of care. Physicians can assume an important role in advocating for this lifesaving procedure on behalf of this vulnerable patient population.
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