CPT code 19281 refers to a procedure used to mark a specific area within the breast, often to help with future surgery or treatment. CPT 19281 represents “Placement of breast localization device(s) (eg, clip, metallic pellet, wire/needle, radioactive seeds), percutaneous; first lesion, including mammographic guidance.”
Procedure Explanation:
This medical procedure involves placing a small device, such as a clip or a wire, into the breast. The purpose of this is to pinpoint an exact spot within the breast that doctors want to monitor or target in the future. This is usually done using a mammogram to guide the placement. Only the first targeted area, or lesion, is included in this code. If there are additional spots to be marked, those would require separate actions and codes.
Common Names:
- Breast Localization
- Needle Localization
- Wire Localization
Relative Value Units (RVU):
The RVUs associated with this code are 2.0.
How This Procedure Appears:
- Operating Room Schedule Name: Breast Localization Placement
- Surgical Consent Form Name: Insertion of Breast Localization Device
Typical Patients and Diagnoses:
This procedure is commonly used for patients who have a suspicious spot or lump in their breast that needs more careful observation. For example, if a woman undergoing routine breast screening has a small mass that doesn’t seem particularly dangerous yet needs monitoring, a device might be placed to mark it. These markers are helpful during follow-up treatments or surgeries.
Associated ICD-10 Codes:
- N63: This code indicates an unspecified lump in the breast, which may need further examination or marking.
- C50.9: This code represents malignant breast cancer without specifying the exact location within the breast.
- D24.9: This code is used for benign (non-cancerous) breast tumors that require observation or surgical decisions.
Summary
In summary, code 19281 describes a procedure for marking an exact point inside the breast using a device guided by a mammogram. Typical ICD-10 codes associated with 19281 include N63 (unspecified lump in the breast) and C50.9 (malignant breast cancer).
Disclaimer
This post is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. “CPT” and CPT Codes are registered trademarks of the American Medical Association. HCPCS codes are managed by Medicare and are not subject to copyright.