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Official Description

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)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 47542 involves the balloon dilation of biliary duct(s) or the ampulla, which is also referred to as sphincteroplasty. This intervention is performed percutaneously, meaning it is done through the skin, and it includes imaging guidance, such as fluoroscopy, to assist in the procedure. The primary goal of this procedure is to alleviate strictures, which are narrowings or blockages in the biliary duct system. These strictures can arise from various causes, including the presence of stones, tumors, infections, inflammation, previous surgical interventions, radiation therapy, trauma, or substance abuse. During the procedure, a small-gauge needle is inserted through the skin and advanced into the liver, allowing access to the biliary system. A guidewire is then threaded through the needle and navigated into the specific area of the biliary duct where the stricture is located. The correct placement of the guidewire is confirmed through fluoroscopic imaging, which provides real-time visualization of the biliary tree. Once the guidewire is in place, a balloon-tipped catheter is introduced over the guidewire and positioned at the site of the stricture. The balloon is then inflated, which serves to widen the lumen of the duct, thereby relieving the obstruction. It is important to note that CPT® Code 47542 encompasses not only the balloon dilation itself but also the imaging guidance and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation for each duct that is dilated during the procedure.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The balloon dilation of biliary duct(s) or ampulla is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Strictures that may result from the presence of stones, which can obstruct the normal flow of bile.
  • Tumors that may cause narrowing of the biliary duct or ampulla, leading to complications in bile drainage.
  • Infection or inflammation that can lead to scarring and subsequent strictures in the biliary system.
  • Previous surgical interventions that may have resulted in anatomical changes or scarring affecting the biliary ducts.
  • Radiation therapy that can cause damage to the biliary structures, resulting in strictures.
  • Trauma that may lead to injury of the biliary system, causing narrowing or blockage.
  • Substance abuse (alcohol or drugs) that can contribute to the development of strictures in the biliary tree.

2. Procedure

The procedure for balloon dilation of biliary duct(s) or ampulla involves several critical steps:

  • Step 1: The procedure begins with the patient being positioned appropriately, and local anesthesia may be administered to minimize discomfort. The skin over the liver is then prepared and sterilized to reduce the risk of infection.
  • Step 2: A small-gauge needle is carefully advanced through the skin and into the liver, allowing access to the biliary system. This step is crucial as it establishes the entry point for the subsequent guidewire.
  • Step 3: A guidewire is then introduced through the needle and navigated transhepatically into the biliary duct where the stricture is located. Fluoroscopic imaging is utilized to confirm the correct placement of the guidewire, ensuring it is positioned accurately within the biliary tree.
  • Step 4: Once the guidewire is in place, a balloon-tipped catheter is passed over the guidewire and maneuvered to the site of the stricture or blockage. This step is critical for the subsequent dilation process.
  • Step 5: The balloon is inflated at the site of the stricture, which serves to widen the lumen of the duct. This inflation is carefully monitored using fluoroscopic guidance to ensure effective dilation without causing damage to the surrounding tissues.

3. Post-Procedure

After the balloon dilation procedure, patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications or adverse reactions. Post-procedure care may include observation for signs of bleeding, infection, or any other complications related to the biliary system. Patients may be advised to follow specific dietary guidelines and to report any unusual symptoms, such as abdominal pain or jaundice, to their healthcare provider. The expected recovery time can vary based on the individual patient's condition and the complexity of the procedure performed. Follow-up imaging may be necessary to assess the success of the dilation and to monitor for any recurrence of strictures.

Short Descr DILATE BILIARY DUCT/AMPULLA
Medium Descr BALLOON DILAT BILIARY DUCT/AMPULLA PRQ EACH DUCT
Long Descr 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)
Status Code Active Code
Global Days ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 0 - No 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 Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates
ASC Payment Indicator Packaged service/item; no separate payment made.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P5E - Ambulatory procedures - other
MUE 2

This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.

47531 MPFS Status: Active Code APC Q2 ASC N1 Injection procedure for cholangiography, percutaneous, complete diagnostic procedure including imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy) and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation; existing access
47532 MPFS Status: Active Code APC Q2 ASC N1 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)
47533 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Placement of biliary drainage catheter, percutaneous, including diagnostic cholangiography when performed, imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy), and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation; external
47534 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Placement of biliary drainage catheter, percutaneous, including diagnostic cholangiography when performed, imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy), and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation; internal-external
47535 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Conversion of external biliary drainage catheter to internal-external biliary drainage catheter, percutaneous, including diagnostic cholangiography when performed, imaging guidance (eg, fluoroscopy), and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation
47536 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Exchange of biliary drainage catheter (eg, external, internal-external, or conversion of internal-external to external only), percutaneous, including diagnostic cholangiography when performed, imaging guidance (eg, fluoroscopy), and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation
47537 MPFS Status: Active Code APC Q2 ASC G2 Removal of biliary drainage catheter, percutaneous, requiring fluoroscopic guidance (eg, with concurrent indwelling biliary stents), including diagnostic cholangiography when performed, imaging guidance (eg, fluoroscopy), and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation
47541 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC J8 Placement of access through the biliary tree and into small bowel to assist with an endoscopic biliary procedure (eg, rendezvous procedure), percutaneous, including diagnostic cholangiography when performed, imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy), and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation, new access
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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
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).
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.)
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
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
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
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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