© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Percutaneous radiofrequency tumor ablation therapy is a minimally invasive procedure aimed at the reduction or complete eradication of one or more pulmonary tumors. This procedure is specifically designed for tumors located in the lungs, and it may also involve the pleura or chest wall if these structures are affected by tumor extension. The term "percutaneous" indicates that the procedure is performed through the skin, utilizing imaging guidance to enhance precision and safety. The approach taken during the procedure is determined by the tumor's location; for instance, the patient may be positioned supine (lying on their back) for anterior tumors or prone (lying on their stomach) for posterior tumors. During the procedure, grounding pads made of steel mesh are strategically placed on the patient's lower back and/or gluteal region to ensure safety and effectiveness. The use of CT scanning is critical in this process, as it assists in planning the trajectory of the needle track and determining the optimal placement of the needle for ablation. The actual ablation is performed using a 17-gauge internally cooled tip electrode needle, which is selected based on the size of the tumor. A treatment duration of twelve minutes is typically employed to ensure that the tumor volume corresponding to the diameter of the exposed, uninsulated portion of the needle undergoes complete necrotic coagulation. The procedure involves the introduction of the electrode needle into the tumor under CT guidance, with electrodes connected to a generator capable of producing an output of up to 200 watts. To prevent overheating, the tip of the electrode is cooled by infusing a saline solution through its cooling lumen during the application of radiofrequency energy. Efforts are made to minimize the number of electrode passes required for insertion; however, larger tumors may necessitate repositioning of the needle to achieve complete ablation. In such cases, the needle angle is adjusted and reinserted without fully withdrawing it, again utilizing CT guidance to ensure accuracy. Throughout the procedure, CT scanning is employed at short intervals to monitor for complications and to verify the position of the needle. Upon completion of the ablation, the needle is withdrawn without cauterizing the probe tract, thereby preserving the integrity of the surrounding tissue.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure is indicated for the treatment of pulmonary tumors, particularly when there is a need for reduction or eradication of one or more tumors located in the lungs. The following conditions may warrant the use of this ablation therapy:
The procedure involves several critical steps to ensure effective ablation of the tumor(s). Each step is designed to maximize precision and minimize complications:
After the completion of the ablation therapy, the patient may require monitoring for any immediate complications that could arise from the procedure. It is essential to assess the patient's recovery and ensure that there are no adverse effects from the ablation. Follow-up imaging may be necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and to monitor for any recurrence of the tumor. The healthcare team will provide specific post-procedure care instructions, which may include pain management and activity restrictions to facilitate optimal recovery.
| Short Descr | ABLATE PULM TUMOR PERQ RF | Medium Descr | ABLATION THER 1+ PULM TUMORS PERQ RADIOFREQUENCY | Long Descr | Ablation therapy for reduction or eradication of 1 or more pulmonary tumor(s) including pleura or chest wall when involved by tumor extension, percutaneous, including imaging guidance when performed, unilateral; radiofrequency | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 000 - Endoscopic or 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) | 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply 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 | Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC | ASC Payment Indicator | Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P1G - Major procedure - Other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 42 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on respiratory system |
| RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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). | 53 | Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use). | 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. | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | X4 | Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period | X5 | Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2018-01-01 | Changed | Long medium and short descriptions changed. AMA guidelines changed. |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2010-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2007-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2007. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.