CPT® Code 20206

A percutaneous needle muscle biopsy, as described by CPT® Code 20206, is a medical procedure that involves the extraction of a small sample of muscle tissue using a specialized needle. This technique is primarily utilized for diagnostic purposes, allowing healthcare providers to investigate various muscle-related diseases. Conditions such as muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Friedreich's ataxia, and certain parasitic infections affecting muscle tissue can be evaluated through this biopsy. The procedure typically targets common muscle sites, including the biceps, deltoid, or quadriceps muscles, which are chosen based on the clinical indication and the muscle group suspected to be affected. Prior to the biopsy, the selected site is thoroughly cleansed to minimize the risk of infection. A biopsy needle is then carefully inserted into the muscle to obtain a small tissue sample, which may require multiple insertions at different locations along the muscle to ensure that an adequate specimen is collected. Once the tissue sample is obtained, it is sent for pathology examination, which is reported separately, allowing for a detailed analysis of the muscle tissue to confirm or rule out specific muscular disorders.