2025 CPT code 88319
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Pathology and Laboratory Procedures - Surgical Pathology Procedures Feed
Special stain, including interpretation and report, for enzyme constituents.
Medical necessity for this code is established by the clinical indication for the special stain. The ordering clinician should document the reason for ordering the test, and the results should contribute to the patient's diagnosis or treatment plan.
A pathologist or qualified provider performs the technical steps of staining the patient sample for enzyme constituents. This includes preparing the sample, applying the specific stain, examining and evaluating the stained sample under a microscope, and preparing a report interpreting the findings.
In simple words: A special test is done on a sample of your tissue, blood, or bone marrow to look for certain substances called enzymes. This test helps doctors figure out what's going on inside your cells and can be used to diagnose different health problems.
This code represents a specialized staining procedure performed on a patient specimen to identify enzyme constituents. It includes the interpretation of the stained sample and a report of the findings. The stain targets specific enzymes within the tissue, providing insights into cellular function and potential abnormalities. This procedure assists in diagnosing various conditions by visualizing the presence and distribution of enzyme activity.
Example 1: A patient presents with bone pain and unexplained fatigue. A bone marrow biopsy is performed, and a special stain for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) is ordered (88319) to evaluate for hairy cell leukemia., A patient with suspected amyloidosis undergoes a muscle biopsy. A Congo red stain (88319) is performed to detect the presence of amyloid deposits in the tissue., A patient presents with enlarged lymph nodes. A lymph node biopsy is performed, and a special stain for enzyme constituents (88319) is ordered to further characterize the cells present and aid in diagnosis.
The documentation should include the type of specimen, the specific enzyme stain performed, the results of the staining, and the pathologist's interpretation of the findings. Any relevant clinical information related to the reason for ordering the test should also be included.
** Code 88319 is specifically for stains targeting enzyme constituents. Different codes are used for other types of special stains, such as those for microorganisms (88312) or all other special stains (88313).
- Specialties:Pathology
- Place of Service:Independent Laboratory, Office