Ask Dr. Z

Is unlisted code 37799 the appropriate code to use? If not, what would you use for this procedure? "DIAGNOSIS: Superficial left knee AVM. PROCEDURE: Ultrasound was used to localize the left medial suprapatellar arteriovenous malformation. I placed two 17 gauge cryoprobes in parallel through the long axis of the malformation which measures approximately 3 x 3 x 1.5 cm and is adjacent to the vastus medialis muscle. The probes were placed approximately 15 mm apart. Following probe placement, a 5 French centesis catheter was placed between the skin and the malformation, and hydro-dissection was performed with warm saline to displace the lesion away from the skin. Cryoablation protocol was as follows: 100% power x10 minutes, passive thaw, and 100% power x5 minutes. At all times, a sterile glove filled with warm saline was applied to the skin at the ablation site. Ultrasound monitoring was performed on the cryoablation to observe the ice ball. At the end of the ablation, the probes were removed and sterile dressing was applied. IMPRESSION: Technically successful ultrasound-guided cryoablation of superficial medial left knee arteriovenous malformation."