Clinical history: Nevus, R pinna
Postoperative diagnosis: same
Tissue/specimen: skin of external ear nevus of R pinna
Impression: microscopic sections show the specimen shows a nevus identified as a melanoma of right ear and auricular canal.
Select the appropriate CPT and ICD-10-CM codes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

CPT code 88305 is used for the pathological examination of a nevus that has been identified as melanoma, which is a more complex procedure than those described by the other codes. ICD-10-CM code C43.21 specifies a malignant melanoma of the right ear and external auricular canal, which matches the diagnosis given.

Clinical History: Nevus, R Pinna