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Official Description

Injection procedure for cholangiography, percutaneous, complete diagnostic procedure including imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy) and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation; new access (eg, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 47532 refers to a specific injection procedure known as percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, which is a complete diagnostic procedure aimed at visualizing the bile ducts. This procedure is essential for diagnosing blockages or abnormalities within the bile duct system. During the process, imaging guidance is utilized, which may include ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy, to ensure accurate placement of instruments and to visualize the bile ducts effectively. The procedure involves creating a new access point, typically through the skin, to allow for the introduction of a catheter into the bile duct. This access is crucial for the injection of contrast medium, which helps in delineating the anatomy of the bile ducts and identifying any obstructions or issues present. The procedure is performed under radiological supervision, ensuring that all imaging is interpreted correctly to provide a comprehensive assessment of the patient's condition. The detailed steps involved in this procedure are critical for medical coders and billers to understand, as they directly relate to the coding and billing processes associated with diagnostic imaging and interventions in the biliary system.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 47532 is indicated for various clinical scenarios where visualization of the bile ducts is necessary. The following conditions may warrant the performance of a percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram:

  • Suspected Bile Duct Obstruction - This procedure is often performed when there is a suspicion of a blockage in the bile duct, which may be due to gallstones, tumors, or strictures.
  • Evaluation of Biliary Anatomy - It is indicated for assessing the anatomy of the bile ducts, particularly in patients with known biliary disease or prior surgical interventions.
  • Investigation of Jaundice - The procedure may be indicated in cases of unexplained jaundice, where the cause needs to be determined through imaging of the biliary system.
  • Assessment of Biliary Leaks - It can be used to identify and evaluate biliary leaks, which may occur post-operatively or due to trauma.

2. Procedure

The percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram procedure involves several critical steps to ensure successful access and visualization of the bile ducts. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Preparation - The patient is positioned appropriately, and the skin over the intended catheter insertion site is prepped to maintain a sterile environment. This site is typically located over the right midaxillary line below the tenth rib for access to the right hepatic lobe or over the epigastrium for access to the left hepatic lobe.
  • Step 2: Needle Insertion - A long, thin, flexible, small-diameter needle is carefully inserted through the skin and advanced into the liver, targeting the bile duct. This step requires precision to ensure that the needle reaches the correct anatomical location.
  • Step 3: Contrast Injection - A small amount of contrast medium is injected through the needle to confirm its correct placement within the bile duct. This step is crucial for visualizing the bile duct system.
  • Step 4: Guidewire Placement - A guidewire is threaded through the needle into the bile duct, allowing for the subsequent placement of a catheter. Once the guidewire is in place, the needle is removed.
  • Step 5: Catheter Insertion - An angiography catheter is then passed over the guidewire into the bile duct. The guidewire is subsequently removed, leaving the catheter in place for further procedures.
  • Step 6: Dye Injection and Imaging - Dye is injected through the catheter into the bile ducts, allowing for visualization of the biliary tree. Radiographic images are taken as the contrast medium flows through the bile ducts into the small intestine, providing critical diagnostic information.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram, the patient may require monitoring for any potential complications, such as bleeding or infection at the catheter insertion site. It is essential to assess the patient's vital signs and overall condition following the procedure. The results of the cholangiogram will be interpreted by a radiologist, and the findings will be documented for further clinical decision-making. Depending on the results, additional interventions may be necessary, such as the placement of a drainage catheter or surgical consultation if significant abnormalities are identified.

Short Descr INJECTION FOR CHOLANGIOGRAM
Medium Descr NJX CHOLANGIO PRQ W/IMG GID RS&I NEW ACCESS
Long Descr Injection procedure for cholangiography, percutaneous, complete diagnostic procedure including imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy) and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation; new access (eg, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram)
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) 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 T-Packaged Codes
ASC Payment Indicator Packaged service/item; no separate payment made.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) I1F - Standard imaging - other
MUE 1

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

47542 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Balloon dilation of biliary duct(s) or of ampulla (sphincteroplasty), percutaneous, including imaging guidance (eg, fluoroscopy), and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation, each duct (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
47543 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Endoluminal biopsy(ies) of biliary tree, percutaneous, any method(s) (eg, brush, forceps, and/or needle), including imaging guidance (eg, fluoroscopy), and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation, single or multiple (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
47544 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Removal of calculi/debris from biliary duct(s) and/or gallbladder, percutaneous, including destruction of calculi by any method (eg, mechanical, electrohydraulic, lithotripsy) when performed, imaging guidance (eg, fluoroscopy), and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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).
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.
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient 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).
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.
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
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
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
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2017-01-01 Changed Moderate (Conscious) Sedation flag removed. See new Moderate Sedation category.
2016-01-01 Added Added
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