Reader Question:
Lumbar Aspiration
Published on Fri Feb 01, 2002
Question: Please tell me how our practice would code the following report: "Successful ultrasound-guided aspiration of a postoperative pseudomeningocele in the lower lumbar region. 20 cc of cloudy yellow fluid were withdrawn."
Utah Subscriber
Answer: Assuming that no contrast injection was performed and that no diagnostic imaging study was provided, the radiology coder should use either 62270* (Spinal puncture, lumbar, diagnostic) or 62272* (Spinal puncture, therapeutic, for drainage of cerebrospinal fluid [by needle or catheter]), depending on whether the purpose of the aspiration and drainage was diagnostic or therapeutic. Also, the appropriate imaging guidance code 76942 (Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement [e.g., biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device], imaging supervision and interpretation) should be used as supported by the language from the report.
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