General Question for the Week of August 22, 2022

Question:

What is a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy and how is this different from a core biopsy?

Answer:

FNA biopsy is when material (cells) are aspirated from an area of interest with a needle and the aspirate is sent to the lab for cytologic evaluation. This is different from a core biopsy where the core of tissue is being obtained. A core biopsy is most often performed with a larger bore needle to gather a larger (core) amount of tissue which is then sent to the lab for histologic evaluation. Look for aspiration vs. core or needle biopsy, and whether the material obtained is sent to cytology or histology.

This question was answered in our Interventional Radiology Coder. For more hot topics relating to interventional radiology services, please visit our store or call us at 1.800.252.1578, ext. 2.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

CPT® copyright 2023 American Medical Association (AMA). All rights reserved.

Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein.

CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.

Happy World Health Day! Our exclusive webcast, ‘2024 SDoH Update: Navigating Coding and Screening Assessment,’  is just $99 for a limited time! Use code WorldHealth24 at checkout.

SPRING INTO SAVINGS! Get 21% OFF during our exclusive two-day sale starting 3/21/2024. Use SPRING24 at checkout to claim this offer. Click here to learn more →