Question

A CT scan identified moderate-sized right pleural effusion in a 50 year-old male. This was estimated to be 800 cc in size and had an appearance of fluid on the CT Scan. A needle is used to puncture through the chest tissues and enter the pleural cavity to insert a guidewire under ultrasound guidance. A pigtail catheter is then inserted at the length of the guidewire and secured by stitches. The catheter will remain in the chest and is connected to drainage system to drain the accumulated fluid. The CPT® code is: A. 32557 B. 32555 C. 32556 D. 32550"

Answer 1

The correct Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code for the drainage of pleural effusion using a pigtail catheter with guidance is A. 32557. Chest X-rays in pneumonia display white patches due to consolidation or fluid, and may show other medical devices like artificial heart valves.

Step-by-step explanation:

A 50-year-old male with a moderate-sized right pleural effusion estimated at 800 cc on a CT scan underwent a procedure where a needle was used to puncture through the chest and place a guidewire in the pleural cavity under ultrasound guidance. Following this, a pigtail catheter was inserted along the guidewire and secured with stitches, allowing for drainage of the accumulated fluid. The correct CPT® code for this procedure is A. 32557, which describes thoracentesis with insertion of indwelling catheter, includes water seal (e.g., Pleur-evac) when performed, for prolonged drainage of pleural fluid.

Chest radiographs such as those with lung infiltrate suggestive of pneumonia, show white areas indicating consolidation or fluid within the lungs due to infection. This contrasts a normal X-ray where the lungs appear black because air-filled spaces produce a negative image. Also, images may include additional features like artificial heart valves or pacemakers which appear as various objects on the X-ray.