Percutaneous Cryoablation of a Pulmonary Tumor

Why This Topic Matters

The article helps readers understand how a single pulmonary cryoablation case was represented in CPT before and after a coding change, and how associated diagnosis codes are linked to a metastatic lung lesion and prior kidney malignancy history. It is useful for keeping coding workflows aligned with current procedural terminology and diagnosis reporting expectations.

Article Sections

1. Clinical Example 1

   Introduces the patient scenario and the clinical context for the interventional radiology procedure.

2. Indication

   Summarizes the clinical background that led to the procedure and the reason for referral.

3. Technique

   Describes the imaging-guided procedural approach, sedation, and intra-procedural monitoring.

4. Findings

   Provides the post-procedure assessment of the treatment result.

5. How to Code

   Presents the coding assignments discussed for the procedure and related reporting elements.

6. Discussion

   Explains the broader coding context, including reporting changes over time, related guidance, and diagnosis coding considerations.

7. For Dates of Service Starting January 1, 2018, the Procedure Described Above Should Be Reported as Follows:

   Shows the later coding framework associated with the same clinical scenario and notes the updated procedural reporting context.