When the radioactive and blue dyes have reached the lymph nodes, a separately reportable lymph node biopsy is performed.įor Sentinel Node injection CPT, we should have a proper documentation supporting injection procedure. The radioactive dye is followed by an injection of the blue dye. This may take as little as 45 minutes or as much as 8 hours.
The radioactive dye is injected into the tumor site or tumor bed and travels from the tumor site to the sentinel node. Lymph ducts usually drain to one lymph node first, called the sentinel node, which is identified using a combination of weak radioactive dye (technetium-labeled sulfur colloid, technetium-99) measured by a hand-held probe, followed by injection of a blue dye (isosulfan blue) that stains the lymph tissue bright blue so it can be seen.
BREAST LUMPECTOMY WITH SENTINEL NODE BIOPSY CPT CODE CODE
Read also : Coding guide for Lung biopsy CPT codes CPT code used for Sentinel Node InjectionĪn injection procedure is performed for identification of a sentinel node, also referred to as lymph node mapping. Each of the code descriptions specifically refers to the other, and both also indicate that the excision of the node identified should be coded 38500-38542. Mainly CPT code 3875 are used for coding sentinal node injection and imaging.Īccording to CPT, code 38792 (injection procedure lymphangiography for identification of sentinel node) is used to code the injection of the radioactive material and the blue dye, while the imaging component of the lymphoscintigraphy is coded 78195 (lymphatics and lymph glands imaging ). The injection is usually done several hours before or a day before surgical procedure to remove sentinel nodes. Sentinel lymph node injection is done commonly for breast cancer and melanoma. In sentinel lymph node injection the physician tries to identify the first lymph node receiving lymphatic drainage from a tumor. Sentinel node is the first in the chain of lymph nodes which drains lymphatic fluid from the malignant tumor.
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