CPT® Code 88368

Morphometric analysis, in situ hybridization (quantitative or semi-quantitative), manual, per specimen; initial single probe stain procedure

Morphometric analysis, in situ hybridization (quantitative or semi-quantitative) is a specialized laboratory technique utilized primarily by pathologists and geneticists to visualize and analyze specific genes or segments of genes within biological specimens. This method employs fluorescent tagging to detect genetic abnormalities, which may include translocations, deletions, duplications, amplifications, and inversions on chromosomes, as well as in hematologic cells and solid tumor cancers. The insights gained from this analysis are crucial for determining patient eligibility for targeted therapies, planning treatment strategies, and monitoring the effectiveness of ongoing treatments. The procedure involves fixing cells onto a microscope slide and treating them to denature the DNA, converting it into single strands. A short sequence of single-stranded DNA, known as a probe, which is complementary to the target gene(s), is then tagged with fluorescent labels and applied to the slide. Following this, the DNA on the slide is allowed to hybridize with the probe, and any unbound probe is washed away. The final step involves manually examining the slide under a microscope to identify the presence of any genetic abnormalities. For billing purposes, the CPT® code 88368 is designated for the initial single probe stain procedure, while 88369 is used for each additional single probe stain performed.