Ask Dr. Z

Would you recommend reporting a Tarlov cyst aspiration with CT guidance as 62328 or 62329? In your IR coding reference, the instructions state that drainage of this fluid is considered part of a spinal tap and to use 62270. Isn't a drainage like this considered a therapeutic drainage? In the example below, two cysts were aspirated. Would 62329 x 2 be correct in this scenario?

"The patient was positioned prone. Initial CT imaging was performed. Local anesthesia was administered. Each cyst was accessed using two access needles. Position within the cyst was confirmed, and fluid aspiration was performed for each cyst. All instruments were then removed.

- Initial imaging findings: Multiple Tarlov cysts

- Aspiration needle/catheter: 20G spinal needles

- Post-aspiration imaging findings: Near-complete drainage of two of the Tarlov cysts"