63267 or 22102?

Question:

A patient presents with lumbar discitis and osteomyelitis, and the provider performs a laminectomy with debridement of the disc and bone. Which CPT code is more appropriate in this scenario: 63267 or 22102?

Answer:

Thank you for asking!

In this case, the procedure involves a lumbar laminectomy with debridement of both disc and bone due to infectious pathology. CPT code 63267 is the correct choice, as it describes a lumbar laminectomy for excision or evacuation of an extradural intraspinal lesion other than a neoplasm. Code 22102 applies to the partial excision of the posterior vertebral component, which does not accurately reflect the work performed.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 11/20/25.