CPT® Code 88121

Cytopathology, in situ hybridization (eg, FISH), urinary tract specimen with morphometric analysis, 3-5 molecular probes, each specimen; using computer-assisted technology

The CPT® Code 88121 refers to a specialized cytopathology procedure that utilizes in situ hybridization techniques, specifically fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), to analyze urinary tract specimens. This procedure is designed to detect the presence of abnormal cells that may indicate urinary tract cancer. The specimens typically analyzed include urine samples or bladder irrigation specimens, which contain exfoliated urothelial cells. The process involves the application of multiple DNA probes—ranging from three to five—that are specifically designed to target and identify chromosomal alterations associated with cancerous changes in the urinary tract. Each DNA probe is labeled with a fluorescent dye, allowing for visualization under a fluorescent microscope. When the probes bind to their complementary DNA sequences within the cell nuclei, they highlight specific chromosomes that may exhibit genetic abnormalities. The resulting fluorescence indicates the presence of chromosomal changes that are characteristic of urothelial cancer. It is important to note that this code is applicable when computer-assisted technology is employed for the evaluation of the specimen, distinguishing it from the manual testing process, which is reported under CPT® Code 88120. Each specimen tested, whether through manual or computer-assisted methods, should be reported accordingly to ensure accurate coding and billing.