CPT® Code 88334

Add-On Code

Pathology consultation during surgery; cytologic examination (eg, touch prep, squash prep), each additional site (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

The CPT® Code 88334 refers to a pathology consultation performed during surgery, specifically focusing on cytologic examinations conducted at additional sites beyond the primary procedure. This code is utilized when a pathologist is called upon by a surgeon to assess tissue samples intraoperatively, which is crucial for determining the presence or absence of disease, including malignancies. The process involves two primary techniques: touch preparation and squash preparation. In the touch preparation method, the margin of the tissue sample is directly touched to a glass slide, allowing cells to adhere to the slide. This slide is then air-dried, stained, and examined microscopically to identify any abnormal or malignant cells. Conversely, the squash preparation technique involves slicing a small portion of the tissue specimen and placing it on a slide, where it is then crushed with another slide to create a thin film. This specimen is also fixed, stained, and analyzed under a microscope. The pathologist provides an initial verbal report of the findings, which includes critical information about the presence of abnormal cells and other significant characteristics. A formal written report is subsequently generated and added to the patient's medical record. It is important to note that CPT® Code 88334 is listed separately in addition to the primary procedure code, which is represented by CPT® Code 88333 for the examination of cells from the initial site.