In simple words: A stent (small tube) is placed into the bile duct through a small incision in the skin. A separate drainage catheter is also placed.X-ray or ultrasound may be used for guidance, and the doctor may also widen the bile duct with a balloon. The procedure includes any necessary catheter exchanges/removals, and all imaging supervision and interpretation.

Placement of stent(s) into a bile duct, percutaneous, including diagnostic cholangiography, imaging guidance (e.g., fluoroscopy and/or ultrasound), balloon dilation, catheter exchange(s) and catheter removal(s) when performed, and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation; new access, with placement of separate biliary drainage catheter (e.g., external or internal-external).

Example 1: A patient presents with a blocked bile duct due to a tumor. A stent is placed percutaneously to open the blockage, and a separate drainage catheter is placed to manage bile drainage., A patient with a bile duct stricture undergoes percutaneous stent placement with a separate drainage catheter to facilitate healing and manage biliary drainage., During an ERCP, a blockage in the bile duct is encountered that cannot be stented endoscopically. The physician performs a percutaneous stent placement (47540) with drainage catheter placement due to inability to complete the procedure endoscopically.

Documentation should support the medical necessity of the procedure, including the diagnosis, the type of stent and catheter placed, the method of imaging guidance, and any associated procedures like balloon dilation or catheter exchanges.