2025 CPT code 32097
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Respiratory System Feed
Thoracotomy with diagnostic biopsy(ies) of lung nodule(s) or mass(es) (e.g., wedge, incisional), unilateral.
Modifiers may be applicable. Modifier 50 is used for bilateral procedures. Modifier 59 may be used to indicate a distinct procedural service. Consult payer guidelines for specific modifier usage.
Medical necessity for 32097 must be supported by documentation of signs, symptoms, or radiological findings suggestive of a lung lesion requiring a diagnostic biopsy for further evaluation.
The surgeon performs the thoracotomy, obtains the biopsies, and manages the surgical site.
In simple words: The doctor makes an incision in the chest to access the lung and takes one or more small tissue samples from a suspicious spot (nodule or mass).The samples are sent to a lab for testing.
Open surgical incision into the pleural space/cavity of the chest to obtain one or more biopsies from abnormal lung mass(es) or nodule(s). This can include wedge or incisional biopsies from a single lung. Multiple biopsies from the same lung can be performed under this code.
Example 1: A patient with a suspicious lung nodule undergoes a thoracotomy, and a wedge biopsy of the nodule is taken for diagnostic purposes., Multiple biopsies of different masses in the right lung are obtained via thoracotomy., A patient presents with pleural effusion and a lung mass. During thoracotomy, the fluid is drained, and an incisional biopsy of the mass is taken.
Documentation should include operative report detailing the thoracotomy, the biopsy technique used (wedge, incisional), the location and size of the nodule(s)/mass(es) biopsied, and any associated procedures.Pathology report confirming diagnosis.
** This code represents a diagnostic procedure and should not be reported with therapeutic lung resection codes unless a separate and distinct therapeutic procedure is performed on a different lobe or lung.
- Revenue Code: P1G - MAJOR PROCEDURE - OTHER
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.
- Specialties:Thoracic Surgery, Pulmonary Medicine
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center