Reprinted from October 2002 CAP TODAY
Q: What is the correct way to report immunocytochemistry stains? For
example, how many units of 88342 should we use to report a HMB-45 stain
performed on two blocks of a single sentinel lymph node biopsy for melanoma?
A: If you apply the HMB-45 stain to two blocks of a single sentinel
lymph node specimen, report one unit of 88342.
Code 88342, Immunocytochemistry (including tissue immunoperoxidase),
each antibody, is reported once for each antibody applied to a single
specimen. The code should not be reported per slide or per block if multiple
slides or blocks from a single specimen are stained. When multiple smears
prepared from a specimen are stained with one antibody, report only one
unit of 88324. If a specimen is stained with multiple antibodies, report
88342 once for each antibody used.
Q: Our laboratory occasionally receives Tzanck smears which we process
and examine in the same manner as other cytology smears. When reporting
such a service, should we use code 88104 or 87207?
A: Use code 87207, Smear, primary source, with interpretation;
special stain for inclusion bodies or intracellular parasites (eg, malaria,
kala azar, herpes), when an examination reports only the presence
or absence of inclusions. This examination is usually performed by a technologist.
Use code 88160, Cytopathology, smears, any other source; screening
and interpretation, or 88161 Cytopathology, smears, any other source;
preparation, screening and interpretation, for direct Tzanck smears
examined by a pathologist that require a broader service with consideration
of etiology beyond simply reporting the presence of inclusions. Use code
88161 when the pathologist or their designee prepares the smear.
Frequently asked questions about CPT are published bimonthly in “Capitol
Scan.” This addition to CAP TODAY is a product of the CAP Economic
The codes and descriptions listed here are from Current Procedural Terminology,
a copyrighted publication of the American Medical Association. To purchase
CPT books, call the AMA at (800) 621-8335.