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Official Description

Aspiration and injection for treatment of bone cyst

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 20615 involves the aspiration and injection for the treatment of a bone cyst. In this context, a bone cyst is defined as a one-chambered sac that contains serous fluid, which is a clear, pale yellow fluid that can accumulate in various tissues. The cyst is typically lined with a thin layer of connective tissue. This procedure is commonly performed in pediatric patients, as bone cysts are frequently found in the shaft of long bones in children. The physician begins the process by administering local anesthesia to ensure the patient experiences minimal discomfort during the procedure. Following anesthesia, a needle is carefully inserted into the bone cyst to aspirate, or withdraw, the fluid contained within it. After the fluid is removed, medication is injected into the cyst to treat the condition. This dual approach of aspiration and injection aims to alleviate symptoms and promote healing of the bone cyst.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 20615 is indicated for the treatment of bone cysts, particularly in pediatric patients. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Bone Cyst Presence The procedure is performed when a bone cyst is identified, which is characterized by a one-chambered structure containing serous fluid.
  • Symptoms of Discomfort Patients may experience pain or discomfort due to the presence of the cyst, necessitating intervention.
  • Potential for Complications The procedure may be indicated to prevent potential complications associated with untreated bone cysts, such as fracture risk or infection.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 20615 involves several key steps that ensure effective treatment of the bone cyst. Each step is crucial for the successful outcome of the procedure.

  • Step 1: Administration of Local Anesthesia The physician begins by administering local anesthesia to the area surrounding the bone cyst. This step is essential to minimize pain and discomfort for the patient during the procedure.
  • Step 2: Needle Insertion After the anesthesia takes effect, the physician carefully inserts a needle into the bone cyst. This requires precision to ensure that the needle is correctly positioned within the cyst to avoid damage to surrounding tissues.
  • Step 3: Aspiration of Fluid Once the needle is in place, the physician aspirates the fluid from the cyst. This involves withdrawing the serous fluid, which helps to relieve pressure and symptoms associated with the cyst.
  • Step 4: Injection of Medication Following the aspiration, the physician injects medication into the cyst. This medication is intended to treat the underlying condition of the cyst and promote healing.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the procedure, the patient may be monitored for a short period to ensure there are no immediate complications. Post-procedure care typically includes instructions for managing any discomfort, which may involve the use of over-the-counter pain relief medications. The physician may also provide guidance on activity restrictions to allow for proper healing. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and to monitor the status of the bone cyst.

Short Descr TREATMENT OF BONE CYST
Medium Descr ASPIRATION & INJECTION TREATMENT BONE CYST
Long Descr Aspiration and injection for treatment of bone cyst
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 010 - Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies
ASC Payment Indicator Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6B - Minor procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 161 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on bone

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

77002 CPT Add On MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
T5 Right foot, great toe
T6 Right foot, second digit
Date
Action
Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Medium Descriptor changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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