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Official Description

Aspiration and/or injection of renal cyst or pelvis by needle, percutaneous

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 50390 involves the aspiration and/or injection of a renal cyst or the renal pelvis using a percutaneous approach. This procedure is primarily utilized to manage renal cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs that can develop in the kidneys. While many simple renal cysts are benign and do not cause symptoms, they can sometimes lead to discomfort or complications. Symptoms that may necessitate this procedure include flank pain, frequent urination, or hematuria (blood in the urine). During the procedure, the skin over the kidney is first cleansed to reduce the risk of infection. A local anesthetic is then administered to minimize discomfort. Under the guidance of imaging techniques, a needle is carefully inserted to reach the cyst or renal pelvis. If the procedure involves aspiration of urine from the renal pelvis, the needle is directed into that area to extract the fluid. In cases where a renal cyst is being treated, the needle is advanced into the cyst to aspirate the cystic fluid, which is subsequently sent for laboratory analysis. Following aspiration, contrast material may be injected to assess for any communication between the cyst and the kidney's collecting system. If no such communication is found, a sclerosing agent, typically 95% ethanol, is injected into the cyst to promote closure and prevent recurrence. The sclerosing solution is retained in the cyst for a brief period before being removed, completing the procedure.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 50390 is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Flank Pain - Patients experiencing discomfort in the flank area due to the presence of a renal cyst may require this procedure for relief.
  • Frequent Urination - If a renal cyst is contributing to increased urinary frequency, aspiration and/or injection may be necessary.
  • Hematuria - The presence of blood in the urine, potentially caused by a renal cyst, can warrant this intervention to address the underlying issue.

2. Procedure

The procedure involves several key steps to ensure effective treatment of the renal cyst or renal pelvis:

  • Preparation - The skin over the flank region, where the kidney is located, is thoroughly cleansed to minimize the risk of infection. This step is crucial for maintaining a sterile environment during the procedure.
  • Administration of Local Anesthetic - A local anesthetic is infiltrated into the area to numb the skin and underlying tissues, ensuring that the patient experiences minimal discomfort during the procedure.
  • Needle Insertion - Under the guidance of imaging techniques, a needle is carefully advanced to the site of the planned aspiration and/or injection. This step is performed with precision to target the renal cyst or renal pelvis accurately.
  • Aspiration of Cystic Fluid - If the procedure is aimed at treating a renal cyst, the needle is directed into the cyst to aspirate the fluid. This fluid is collected and sent for laboratory evaluation to assess its characteristics.
  • Injection of Contrast Material - After aspiration, contrast material is injected into the cystic lesion to evaluate for any communication between the cyst and the kidney's collecting system. This step is essential for determining the appropriate treatment approach.
  • Injection of Sclerosing Solution - If no communication is detected, a sclerosing solution, typically 95% ethanol, is injected into the cyst. This solution is intended to promote closure of the cyst and prevent recurrence.
  • Retention and Removal of Sclerosing Solution - The sclerosing solution is left in the cyst for several minutes to allow it to take effect before being removed, completing the procedure.

3. Post-Procedure

After the procedure, patients may be monitored for any immediate complications or adverse reactions. It is important to provide post-procedure care instructions, which may include recommendations for pain management and activity restrictions. Patients should be advised to report any unusual symptoms, such as increased pain, fever, or changes in urinary patterns, to their healthcare provider. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the effectiveness of the procedure and to monitor for any recurrence of symptoms or cyst formation.

Short Descr DRAINAGE OF KIDNEY LESION
Medium Descr ASPIR &/NJX RENAL CYST/PELVIS NEEDLE PRQ
Long Descr Aspiration and/or injection of renal cyst or pelvis by needle, percutaneous
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) 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 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 2
CCS Clinical Classification 111 - Other non-OR therapeutic procedures of urinary tract

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

74425 Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC Q2 ASC N1 Physician Quality Reporting PUB 100 CPT Assistant Article Urography, antegrade, radiological supervision and interpretation
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)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
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).
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.
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
MG The order for this service does not have applicable appropriate use criteria in the qualified clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional
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
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
Date
Action
Notes
2016-01-01 Note AMA Guidelines changed.
2013-01-01 Changed Medium Descriptor changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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