2025 CPT code 55920
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Reproductive System Procedures Feed
Placement of needles or catheters into pelvic organs and/or genitalia (excluding the prostate) for subsequent interstitial brachytherapy.
Modifiers may be applicable in certain situations, such as increased procedural services (modifier 22), reduced services (modifier 52), or distinct procedural service (modifier 59). Appropriate use of modifiers should be supported by detailed documentation.
Medical necessity must be established by documenting the diagnosis requiring brachytherapy and the rationale for using this specific approach. Pre-treatment imaging and other diagnostic studies should be documented to support the medical necessity of this procedure.
The radiation oncologist is responsible for performing the procedure, ensuring proper placement of needles or catheters under appropriate anesthesia and possibly with ultrasound guidance.
In simple words: This procedure involves placing small tubes (catheters or needles) into the area needing treatment in the pelvis or genital area (not the prostate) to prepare for internal radiation therapy.These tubes will guide the placement of tiny radioactive seeds that deliver radiation directly to the cancer.
This code describes the placement of needles or catheters into pelvic organs and/or genitalia (excluding the prostate) to facilitate subsequent interstitial brachytherapy.This involves inserting needles or catheters into the target tissue to allow for precise placement of radioactive sources for targeted radiation therapy.This is often done with the patient in the lithotomy position, possibly using ultrasound guidance. The radioactive seeds are placed in a separate procedure.
Example 1: A patient with cervical cancer undergoes placement of needles into the cervix for later placement of radioactive seeds to deliver brachytherapy., A patient with vaginal cancer has catheters placed in the vaginal tissue to prepare for interstitial brachytherapy., A patient with cancer of the vulva undergoes placement of needles in preparation for brachytherapy treatment.
Documentation should include details of the placement, such as the number and location of needles or catheters inserted, confirmation of placement accuracy (e.g., via ultrasound), type of anesthesia used, and any complications encountered.
- Specialties:Radiation Oncology, Gynecologic Oncology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center