A liver biopsy is a medical procedure that involves removing a small sample of liver tissue for examination and diagnosis. When performed under the guidance of computed tomography (CT), it is known as a CT guided liver biopsy. In this article, we will discuss the CPT code for CT guided liver biopsy and its related aspects.
What is CT Guided Liver Biopsy?
CT guided liver biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses CT imaging to guide the insertion of a needle into the liver to collect a tissue sample. This procedure is typically performed to diagnose and monitor liver diseases, such as liver cancer, cirrhosis, and hepatitis.
CPT Code for CT Guided Liver Biopsy
The CPT code for CT guided liver biopsy is 47000, which is described as “Biopsy of liver, needle; percutaneous.” However, when the biopsy is performed under CT guidance, an additional code may be reported. The CPT code 77012, “Computed Tomography Guidance for Needle Placement,” may be used to report the CT guidance component of the procedure.
Reporting Guidelines
When reporting the CPT code for CT guided liver biopsy, it is essential to follow the guidelines set by the American Medical Association (AMA). The guidelines state that the code 47000 should be reported for the biopsy procedure, and the code 77012 should be reported separately for the CT guidance component.
Example
For example, if a patient undergoes a CT guided liver biopsy, the following codes may be reported:
- 47000: Biopsy of liver, needle; percutaneous
- 77012: Computed Tomography Guidance for Needle Placement
Related Codes
Other related codes that may be reported for liver biopsy procedures include:
- 47001: Biopsy of liver, needle; when done for indicated purpose at time of other major procedure
- 76942: Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement
References
For more information on CPT codes and guidelines, please refer to the American Medical Association (AMA) website or consult with a certified coder or healthcare professional.