2025 CPT code 10030
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Integumentary System Surgery Feed
Image-guided drainage of a fluid collection (abscess, hematoma, seroma, lymphocele, cyst) in soft tissue using a catheter.
Modifiers may apply depending on the circumstances of the service.Consult the CPT manual for modifier usage guidelines.
The procedure is medically necessary when conservative measures (e.g., antibiotics) have failed to resolve a symptomatic fluid collection or if the collection poses a risk to the patient's health (e.g., infection, compression of vital structures).
The physician inserts a catheter using imaging guidance to drain fluid collections from soft tissue. This involves selecting appropriate imaging modality, accurately placing the catheter, and ensuring adequate drainage. Post-procedure care and monitoring may also be included.
In simple words: The doctor inserts a thin tube (catheter) through the skin to drain fluid from a pocket of fluid (like an abscess, bruise, or cyst) using ultrasound, X-ray, or CT scan to guide the tube. The tube is left in place to keep draining the fluid.
This CPT code, 10030, describes the percutaneous drainage of a fluid collection (e.g., abscess, hematoma, seroma, lymphocele, or cyst) located in soft tissue areas such as the extremity, abdominal wall, or neck.The procedure involves the placement of a catheter guided by imaging modalities (ultrasound, fluoroscopy, or CT) to facilitate the drainage of the fluid. The catheter may be introduced via a small skin incision with a trocar or through a hollow needle with a guidewire.The catheter is left in place for continued drainage.This code is reported once for each individual fluid collection drained with a separate catheter.It should not be reported with codes 75989, 76942, 77002, 77003, 77012, or 77021.For image-guided drainage of visceral, peritoneal, or retroperitoneal collections, see codes 49405-49407.For incision and drainage of a hematoma, seroma, or other fluid collection, see code 10140.
Example 1: A patient presents with a large, painful abscess on their thigh.The physician uses ultrasound guidance to place a catheter to drain the abscess. Code 10030 is reported., A patient post-surgical procedure develops a seroma in the abdominal wall. The physician uses fluoroscopy to place a catheter to drain the seroma. Code 10030 is reported., A patient with a neck mass that appears cystic on CT scan undergoes percutaneous catheter placement for drainage under CT guidance. The physician drains a cystic collection. Code 10030 is reported.
Detailed history and physical exam, imaging studies (ultrasound, fluoroscopy, CT) showing the fluid collection, operative report detailing the procedure (including type and location of fluid collection, imaging guidance used, catheter placement technique, amount of fluid drained), and post-operative notes.
** This code is for percutaneous drainage of fluid collections in soft tissue.Drainage of fluid collections in other locations or via other approaches may require different codes.
- Revenue Code: P6D (MINOR PROCEDURES - OTHER (NON-MEDICARE FEE SCHEDULE))
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: A technical component (TC) modifier may be applicable, depending on the specific scenario.
- Specialties:Surgery, Radiology, Interventional Radiology
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center