CPT® Code 31717

The procedure described by CPT® Code 31717 involves catheterization with a bronchial brush biopsy, a technique utilized to collect cellular samples from the bronchi for diagnostic purposes. In this procedure, a physician employs a catheter, which is a thin, flexible tube, to access the bronchi, the major air passages that diverge from the trachea and lead into the lungs. Prior to the procedure, a local anesthetic is administered by spraying it in the back of the throat to minimize discomfort during the insertion of the catheter. The catheter is carefully advanced through the nasal or oral passage, progressing through the throat and into the trachea, which is the windpipe that connects the throat to the lungs. Once the catheter reaches the bronchi, it features a brush that is specifically designed to collect tissue samples. The brushing technique involves gently scraping the lining of the bronchi to obtain cell samples, which are crucial for evaluating potential abnormalities or diseases within the respiratory system. After the biopsy is completed, the catheter is withdrawn, and the collected cell samples are sent to a laboratory for cytology evaluation, which is a separate reportable service that assesses the cellular characteristics of the samples for diagnostic insights.