CPT® Code 88130

The CPT® Code 88130 refers to the procedure of sex chromatin identification, specifically focusing on the identification of Barr bodies. This procedure involves obtaining a buccal smear, which is a sample collected from the inside of the cheek. The primary goal of this test is to identify the presence of X-chromatin by staining interphase cells with a dye known as orcein. In this context, X-chromosomes manifest as dark bodies, commonly referred to as Barr bodies. The significance of Barr bodies lies in their correlation with the number of X-chromosomes present in the cell. For instance, the number of X-chromosomes is determined by taking the total count of inactivated X-chromosomes and subtracting one. In typical male individuals with XY chromosomes, there are no Barr bodies present, indicating the absence of inactivated X-chromosomes. Conversely, females with XX chromosomes exhibit one Barr body, while those with XXX chromosomes display two Barr bodies. This procedure is crucial for genetic and chromosomal analysis, providing insights into the chromosomal composition of individuals based on the identification of these structures.