Radiology Coding Alert

Answer: You report code 74440 (Vasography, vesiculography, or epididymography, radiological supervision and interpretation) for radiological examination of the vas deferens. Your physician may be trying to evaluate the patency of the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, or epididymis. You submit this CPT® code only for radiological supervision and interpretation part of the entire procedure.

 

Procedure: Your physician will inject the contrast material into the vas deferens.  Usually, your physician will inject a blue dye (e.g. Indigo Carmine) into the vas to test for obstruction of the ejaculatory duct. Your physician will make an incision in the scrotum and free the testis and separate the vas carefully from the adjacent spermatic cord structures. You will also read that your physician inserted a Foley’s catheter and placed an air–filled balloon on gentle traction to prevent reflux of contrast medium into the bladder. For identification of obstruction in the seminal vesicles or epididymis, your physician may inject contrast into these structures.