2025 CPT code 47382
Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Digestive System Feed
Ablation, one or more liver tumor(s), percutaneous, radiofrequency.
Modifiers may be applicable to indicate specific circumstances, such as increased procedural services (22), multiple procedures (51), or reduced services (52).
Medical necessity is established by the diagnosis of a liver tumor amenable to radiofrequency ablation, and where percutaneous ablation is deemed the most appropriate treatment approach.This may be due to factors such as tumor size, location, patient comorbidities, or refusal of more invasive surgery.
The physician is responsible for prepping and anesthetizing the patient, using imaging guidance to locate the tumor(s), placing the radiofrequency needle electrode, applying the electrical energy, ensuring hemostasis, and managing any complications.
In simple words: The doctor uses a needle to deliver heat to destroy one or more liver tumors. The procedure is done through the skin without a large incision. Imaging, like ultrasound, is used to guide the placement of the needle.
The provider uses radiofrequency to ablate one or more tumors in the liver using a minimally invasive approach through the skin.After the patient is prepped and anesthetized, the provider uses imaging guidance (such as CT, MRI, or ultrasound) to locate the tumor(s). A radiofrequency needle electrode is placed into the tumor(s), and electrical energy is applied, heating the tissue and destroying the tumor(s). Scar tissue then replaces the tumor cells. The needle is withdrawn, and hemostasis is checked.
Example 1: A patient with a single, small hepatocellular carcinoma undergoes percutaneous radiofrequency ablation under CT guidance., A patient with multiple metastatic liver lesions from colon cancer undergoes percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of three lesions under ultrasound guidance., A patient with a large liver tumor deemed unresectable undergoes percutaneous radiofrequency ablation as a palliative measure.
Documentation should include details of the tumor(s) (size, number, location), type of imaging guidance used, energy applied, and confirmation of ablation. Medical necessity for the procedure should be clearly justified, including any contraindications to surgical resection.
- Specialties:Interventional Radiology, Surgical Oncology, Hepatology
- Place of Service:Ambulatory Surgical Center, Outpatient Hospital, Inpatient Hospital