Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 65-year-old man with localized, biopsy-proven prostate carcinoma confined to the gland who elects focal tumor ablation. He presents after multiparametric MRI and targeted biopsy confirm one or more discrete tumor foci suitable for a percutaneous approach. Pre-procedure assessment includes medical clearance, coagulation review, and review of prior imaging (MRI/ultrasound). On the day of service, the patient receives conscious sedation or general anesthesia in an outpatient procedural suite or ambulatory surgery center. Under transrectal or transperineal ultrasound and/or CT/MRI fusion guidance, the interventional urology or interventional radiology team inserts one or more probes percutaneously into the prostate tumor(s). The device delivers irreversible electroporation (IRE) electrical pulses to ablate tumor cells while preserving surrounding structures. Intra-procedural imaging guidance and neurovascular bundle assessment are performed. Post-procedure, the patient is observed for urinary retention, hematuria, and pain, receives discharge instructions, and returns for follow-up PSA monitoring and imaging as indicated.
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|
55877 | Ablation, one or more prostate tumors, irreversible electroporation (IRE), percutaneous, includes imaging guidance | Primary procedure code describing percutaneous IRE prostate tumor ablation with imaging guidance. |
76872 | Ultrasound, transrectal; with imaging documentation and guidance for needle placement | Commonly used for real-time transrectal ultrasound guidance and needle/probe placement during percutaneous prostate ablation.
77012 | CT guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device), radiological supervision and interpretation | Used when CT guidance is employed for probe placement during percutaneous IRE.
95978 | Electronic analysis of implanted neurostimulator pulse generator or receiver (Not directly for IRE) | Data not commonly applicable; Data not available in the input.
99152 | Moderate sedation services provided by the physician performing the procedure (for initial 15–30 minutes) | Used when the operating physician provides moderate sedation during the IRE procedure; document separately per payor rules.