CPT® Code 88377

Morphometric analysis, in situ hybridization (quantitative or semi-quantitative), manual, per specimen; each multiplex 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 and identify 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. Subsequently, multiple short sequences of single-stranded DNA, known as probes, which are complementary to the target gene(s), are tagged with fluorescent labels and applied to the slide. After allowing the probe DNA to hybridize with the slide DNA, the slide undergoes a washing process to eliminate any unbound probes. Finally, the slide is examined manually under a microscope to assess the presence of any genetic abnormalities, providing valuable information for clinical decision-making.