Ask Dr. Z

Which code (49406 or 10030) should be used for drainage of a gluteal seroma followed by alcohol ablation? And would code 20500 be correct for the ablation? Procedure details (partial): "Following preparation of the right gluteal region and administration of 8 mL, 2% lidocaine local anesthesia, a 12 French pigtail catheter was introduced into the collection using serial CT guidance and Seldinger technique. A total of 480 mL of turbid dark brown fluid was aspirated, and CT scan was performed to confirm coaptation of seroma capsular membrane. Next, 50 mL of absolute alcohol was introduced into the collection. The alcohol was allowed to dwell within the cavity for 5 minutes, during which time the patient was repositioned, and the cavity was compressed externally to distribute the sclerosant CT-directed, catheter drainage, alcohol ablation of pelvic, seroma..."