AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2005 Issue 3; Ask the Editor

CT Guided Needle Aspiration of Intervertebral Disk

What is the correct ICD-9-CM procedure code for a CT guided fine needle aspiration of intervertebral disk (L4-L5)? There does not appear to be a code in ICD-9-CM to describe this procedure. Code 03.31 describes a spinal puncture; however, an aspiration of the disk, not the spinal cord was carried out. During the procedure, a 17-gauge guidance needle was advanced using CT fluoroscopy guidance until its tip was just immediately outside the L4-L5 disk. At this point, 22 and 20 gauge Chiba needles were advanced into the disk and fluid was aspirated. The fluid was sent for cytological analysis. ...

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