MeganLee
New
Coding for a Dermatopathology Lab, often the pathologist will give a diagnosis that is unspecified. Examples: "Characteristic of" "Suggestive of" "Consistent with"
We often use L98.9 but for some reports that are indicating possibility of dx's such as mycosis fungoides and CTCL we feel there should be a better way to code at least from the microexam which usually gives a good description of what the are seeing.
Example:
DX: Characteristic of path-stage mycosis fungoides.
Micro Exam: The basal layer reveals focally marked exocytosis of haloed, medium-sized
lymphocytes. The papillary dermis reveals fibroplasia and a focal band of
small lymphocytes with extravasated red cells. Immunohistochemistry performed
on an accompanying specimen revealed the epidermal lymphocytes are diffusely
CD8-positive.
We often use L98.9 but for some reports that are indicating possibility of dx's such as mycosis fungoides and CTCL we feel there should be a better way to code at least from the microexam which usually gives a good description of what the are seeing.
Example:
DX: Characteristic of path-stage mycosis fungoides.
Micro Exam: The basal layer reveals focally marked exocytosis of haloed, medium-sized
lymphocytes. The papillary dermis reveals fibroplasia and a focal band of
small lymphocytes with extravasated red cells. Immunohistochemistry performed
on an accompanying specimen revealed the epidermal lymphocytes are diffusely
CD8-positive.