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Official Description

Radiological guidance (ie, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, or computed tomography), for percutaneous drainage (eg, abscess, specimen collection), with placement of catheter, radiological supervision and interpretation

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Radiological guidance for the placement of a minimally invasive percutaneous drainage catheter is a procedure that utilizes imaging techniques such as fluoroscopy, ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT) to assist in the accurate placement of the catheter. This catheter is a thin, flexible, hollow tube designed to be inserted through the skin into areas where fluid has accumulated, such as abscesses or other fluid collections. The primary purpose of this procedure is to facilitate the drainage of various types of fluids, including serum, blood, pus, and cellular debris, which may be present due to infection or other medical conditions. Additionally, the catheter can be used to collect specimens for laboratory testing, aiding in the diagnosis and management of underlying health issues. The CPT® Code 75989 specifically captures the radiologist's role in supervising the procedure, interpreting the imaging findings, and providing a comprehensive written report of the procedure and its outcomes.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Radiological guidance for percutaneous drainage is indicated in various clinical scenarios where fluid accumulation occurs. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Abscess Formation The presence of an abscess, which is a localized collection of pus, often requires drainage to alleviate pain and prevent further infection.
  • Fluid Collections Conditions leading to the accumulation of fluid in body cavities, such as seromas or hematomas, may necessitate drainage to relieve pressure and promote healing.
  • Specimen Collection In cases where fluid analysis is required for diagnostic purposes, percutaneous drainage allows for the collection of samples from the affected area.

2. Procedure

The procedure for percutaneous drainage under radiological guidance involves several key steps to ensure safe and effective catheter placement. Each step is critical to the overall success of the procedure.

  • Step 1: Patient Preparation The patient is positioned appropriately based on the location of the fluid collection. The area of interest is then cleaned and sterilized to minimize the risk of infection.
  • Step 2: Imaging Guidance The radiologist utilizes fluoroscopy, ultrasound, or CT imaging to visualize the fluid collection accurately. This imaging guidance is essential for determining the optimal entry point for catheter insertion.
  • Step 3: Catheter Insertion A local anesthetic is administered to numb the area, and a small incision may be made to facilitate the insertion of the catheter. The catheter is then carefully advanced into the fluid collection under continuous imaging guidance.
  • Step 4: Drainage and Specimen Collection Once the catheter is in place, the accumulated fluid is drained. If necessary, a specimen can be collected for laboratory analysis during this step.
  • Step 5: Catheter Maintenance After drainage, the catheter may be secured in place for continued drainage or monitoring, depending on the clinical situation. The radiologist will provide instructions for care and follow-up.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care involves monitoring the patient for any immediate complications, such as bleeding or infection at the catheter insertion site. Patients are typically advised to keep the area clean and dry and to follow specific instructions regarding catheter care. Follow-up imaging may be required to ensure that the fluid collection has been adequately addressed and to assess the need for further intervention. The radiologist will provide a detailed report of the procedure, including findings and recommendations for ongoing management.

Short Descr ABSCESS DRAINAGE UNDER X-RAY
Medium Descr RADIOLOGICAL GUIDANCE PRQ DRG W/PLMT CATH RS&I
Long Descr Radiological guidance (ie, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, or computed tomography), for percutaneous drainage (eg, abscess, specimen collection), with placement of catheter, radiological supervision and interpretation
Status Code Active Code
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services
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) 0 - 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) 6 - Therapeutic Radiology
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) I1F - Standard imaging - other
MUE 2
CCS Clinical Classification 226 - Other diagnostic radiology and related techniques
26 Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number.
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
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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.
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
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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).
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.
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.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 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.)
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
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
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
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)
TC Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles
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
Date
Action
Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Guideline information changed.
2011-01-01 Changed Guideline information changed.
2003-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
2002-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
2001-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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