Wiki Diagnostic Radiology Coding Only

I do not understand what you mean by "no CPT codes, just diagnostic codes." Diagnostic radiology codes are CPT codes.
 
I would look to a signed radiology order for the admitting dx. In general, in a signed radiology report I would code the final dx from the impression. This may be the same as the admitting dx when the exam is normal.

An example is a chest xray where the admitting dx is 'cough' and the xray is normal; the final dx is also 'cough'. But in another chest xray the radiologist notes in the final impression 'pneumonia'; Here the admitting dx is also 'cough' but the final dx is 'pneumonia' and we omit the code for cough as it is a symptom of the disease/is explained by the pneumonia.

Hope this helps. I code outpatient services only so my reply pertains to that setting.
 
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