Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Question: I’m new to pathology coding. What is the difference between 88112 and the 88160 family?

Florida Subscriber

Answer: The first distinction between 88112 (Cytopathology, selective cellular enhancement technique with interpretation (eg, liquid based slide preparation method), except cervical or vaginal) and the 88160 family (Cytopathology, smears, any other source…) is the specimen source.

CPT^® divides cytopathology codes between “cervical or vaginal” and other sources. The other sources include fluids, washings, or brushings, such as cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL); or smears created by processes such as touching a tissue specimen to a slide or smearing nipple discharge or sputum on a slide; or fine needle aspiration (FNA) specimens.

Fluids: If the specimen is fluids, washings, or brushings, the method used to evaluate the specimen, such as filtration or concentration, drives the code choice. Code 88112 describes a specific method, sometimes called “liquid based” cytology that involves enhancing the cells for analysis by removing background contamination and concentrating the diagnostic cells.

Direct smears: On the other hand, the 88160 family describes “other source” cellular specimens acquired by directly smearing tissue or discharge on a slide. Because fluids, vaginal smears, and FNA are defined cytopathology specimens, “other” is necessarily a limited category.