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Official Description

Destruction of lesion(s), anus (eg, condyloma, papilloma, molluscum contagiosum, herpetic vesicle), extensive (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 46924 refers to the extensive destruction of lesions located in the anal region, which may include various types of growths such as condyloma, papilloma, molluscum contagiosum, and herpetic vesicles. This procedure involves the physician utilizing advanced techniques to eliminate one or more lesions effectively. The methods employed for destruction can include laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, or chemosurgery, each chosen based on the specific characteristics of the lesions and the extent of the area affected. Prior to the procedure, the physician examines the lesions to determine the most suitable destruction method. Local anesthesia may be administered to ensure patient comfort during the procedure. This code is specifically designated for cases where extensive treatment is necessary, distinguishing it from simpler procedures that may involve less extensive techniques such as chemical destruction or simple excision. The goal of this procedure is to thoroughly remove or destroy the lesions while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 46924 is indicated for the treatment of extensive anal lesions. These lesions may include:

  • Condyloma - A type of wart caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) that can appear in the anal area.
  • Papilloma - Benign tumors that can develop in the anal region, often requiring removal due to discomfort or cosmetic reasons.
  • Molluscum contagiosum - A viral infection that results in raised, pearl-like lesions on the skin, which can occur around the anus.
  • Herpetic vesicle - Fluid-filled blisters caused by the herpes simplex virus, which may require destruction to alleviate symptoms and prevent spread.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 46924 involves several key steps to ensure effective destruction of the lesions:

  • Assessment of Lesions - The physician begins by examining the anal lesions to determine their type, size, and extent. This assessment is crucial for selecting the most appropriate destruction method.
  • Administration of Anesthesia - Local anesthesia is administered to the patient to minimize discomfort during the procedure. This step is essential for ensuring patient comfort, especially given the sensitive nature of the area being treated.
  • Selection of Destruction Method - Based on the assessment, the physician selects an extensive destruction method. Options include laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, or chemosurgery. Each method is chosen based on the specific characteristics of the lesions and the area involved.
  • Execution of Destruction - The selected method is then applied to destroy the lesions. For instance, laser surgery involves using focused light to vaporize the lesions, while electrosurgery applies heat through a high-frequency current to eliminate the tissue. Cryosurgery involves freezing the lesions, and chemosurgery uses chemical agents to achieve destruction.
  • Post-Procedure Care - After the destruction of the lesions, the physician may provide instructions for post-procedure care, which may include managing any discomfort, monitoring for signs of infection, and follow-up appointments to assess healing.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the extensive destruction of anal lesions using CPT® Code 46924, patients may experience some discomfort or swelling in the treated area. It is important for patients to follow the physician's post-procedure care instructions, which may include keeping the area clean and dry, avoiding strenuous activities, and monitoring for any signs of infection such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge. Recovery time can vary depending on the extent of the lesions treated and the method used, but patients are generally advised to schedule follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and to address any concerns that may arise during the recovery process.

Short Descr DESTRUCTION ANAL LESION(S)
Medium Descr DSTRJ LESION ANUS EXTENSIVE
Long Descr Destruction of lesion(s), anus (eg, condyloma, papilloma, molluscum contagiosum, herpetic vesicle), extensive (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery)
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 Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P5E - Ambulatory procedures - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 95 - Other non-OR lower GI therapeutic procedures
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).
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
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.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
81 Minimum assistant surgeon: minimum surgical assistant services are identified by adding modifier 81 to the usual procedure number.
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2002-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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