2025 CPT code 47531
Injection procedure for cholangiography, percutaneous, complete diagnostic procedure including imaging guidance (e.g., ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy) and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation; existing access.
Modifiers may be applicable to this code in certain circumstances, such as modifier 52 for reduced services or modifier 76 for a repeat procedure by the same physician.Modifier 22 might be appended for increased procedural complexity.
Medical necessity must be established for this procedure. The documentation should clearly indicate the clinical reason for performing the cholangiography, such as evaluating biliary obstruction, assessing the patency of a biliary stent or drainage catheter, or identifying the presence of gallstones.
The physician performs the injection for the cholangiogram, using the existing percutaneous access. They use imaging guidance to direct the injection of contrast material into the bile duct.The physician also supervises and interprets the resulting images. This procedure requires prepping and anesthetizing the patient, injecting the contrast, and ensuring proper imaging techniques are used.
In simple words: This procedure involves injecting dye into the bile ducts through a tube already placed in your skin to create x-ray images.The doctor uses imaging technology like ultrasound or fluoroscopy to guide the injection and interpret the images. This helps to diagnose problems in the bile ducts.
This code represents a percutaneous injection procedure for cholangiography using an existing access.It is a complete diagnostic procedure that includes imaging guidance such as ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy, as well as all associated radiological supervision and interpretation.The existing access is typically a previously placed catheter or drainage tube.
Example 1: A patient has a previously placed percutaneous biliary drainage catheter.Cholangiography is needed to evaluate the biliary tree for blockage or other abnormalities, so contrast is injected through the existing catheter, and imaging is performed., A patient with a history of gallstones has undergone cholecystectomy with placement of a T-tube. After a period of healing, a T-tube cholangiogram is performed using 47531 to assess the biliary tree before T-tube removal., A patient has a percutaneous biliary stent.Repeat cholangiography is needed to evaluate stent patency. The physician uses the existing access for contrast injection and imaging.
Documentation should include the reason for the cholangiogram, the type of imaging guidance used (ultrasound, fluoroscopy, or both), the findings of the cholangiogram, and any associated procedures performed.The report from the radiologist interpreting the images should also be included.
- Specialties:Radiology, Interventional Radiology, Gastroenterology, General Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center