RadSite has published its Clinical Coverage Guideline for Breast Cone Beam Computed Tomography (breast CBCT), establishing criteria for the appropriate clinical use and medical necessity of the compression-free, 3D breast imaging technology.
The guideline states that breast CBCT may be appropriate for diagnostic or treatment-planning use when standard imaging such as mammography or ultrasound is inconclusive or technically limited. It also identifies breast CBCT as a potential alternative for patients who cannot undergo breast MRI due to severe claustrophobia, contraindications to gadolinium-based contrast agents, or MRI-incompatible implanted devices.
Clinical data reviewed in the guideline include a 2024 meta-analysis finding that contrast-enhanced breast CBCT had a pooled sensitivity of 92%, compared with 77% for standard mammography, with similar specificity. The guideline also summarizes the category III CPT codes used to report unilateral and bilateral breast CBCT studies, noting that these codes do not guarantee coverage or reimbursement.
The full guideline can be found here.
