ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) code group CW5M includes procedures performed to detect radioactive emissions from introduced tracers or external sources in the upper extremity. These ICD-10-PCS codes are used for inpatient documentation when a nonimaging nuclear medicine probe is employed to measure distribution or absorption of radioactive materials in the upper extremity. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-PCS CW5M group is essential for proper inpatient reimbursement, as it captures the specific procedure performed and supports clinical documentation accuracy.

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Upper Extremity Nonimaging Nuclear Medicine Probe Procedure Overview

This procedure group includes introduction of radioactive materials and use of a nonimaging nuclear medicine probe targeted to the upper extremity to study distribution and fate of substances by detecting radioactive emissions. Procedures in this group target anatomical regions of the upper extremity and involve measurement or detection rather than diagnostic imaging. Accurate ICD-10-PCS coding for these procedures ensures inpatient records reflect the specific nuclear medicine probe technique performed and supports correct case mix assignment for payment.

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
C	Section	Nuclear Medicine
W	Body System	Anatomical Regions
5	Operation	Nonimaging Nuclear Medicine Probe
M	Body Part	Upper Extremity

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ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview

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Upper Extremity Nonimaging Nuclear Medicine Probe Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
C	Section	Nuclear Medicine
W	Body System	Anatomical Regions
5	Operation	Nonimaging Nuclear Medicine Probe
M	Body Part	Upper Extremity

When to Use

Use these codes when radioactive tracers are introduced or external radioactive sources are measured using a nonimaging probe on the upper extremity. Select a code from this group when the procedure specifically involves detection of radioactive emissions or measurement of absorption in upper extremity anatomical regions.

ICD-10-PCS Codes

3 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
CW5M1ZZ	Nonimaging Nuclear Medicine Probe of Upper Extremity using Technetium 99m (Tc-99m)
CW5MDZZ	Nonimaging Nuclear Medicine Probe of Upper Extremity using Indium 111 (In-111)
CW5MYZZ	Nonimaging Nuclear Medicine Probe of Upper Extremity using Other Radionuclide

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An elderly patient admitted with sudden-onset swelling and suspected deep venous thrombosis of the upper extremity following recent central venous catheter placement. A nonimaging nuclear medicine probe study is performed after injection of a technetium-99m labeled tracer to assess venous flow and tracer distribution in the affected arm to help confirm thrombotic occlusion. The test is ordered during the inpatient stay because ultrasound results are equivocal and clinical management depends on nuclear probe findings. Typical codes: CW5M1ZZ
A middle-aged patient admitted electively for evaluation of persistent lymphedema of the forearm after oncologic lymph node dissection. Inpatient nonimaging probe assessment using indium-111 labeled tracer is performed to measure lymphatic absorption and tracer transit in the upper extremity to guide conservative therapy planning. The procedure is scheduled during the admission as a planned diagnostic study to map lymphatic function without performing imaging. Typical codes: CW5MDZZ
A hospitalized patient with prior upper extremity radionuclide study that produced inconclusive results and persistent symptoms after therapy; repeat assessment is required to evaluate residual tracer uptake and to determine need for additional intervention. A nonimaging nuclear medicine probe study using an alternative radionuclide is performed on the involved arm to reassess distribution and absorption after initial treatment. This repeat inpatient procedure addresses an unresolved clinical issue following the initial study. Typical codes: CW5MYZZ

ICD-10-PCS Code For Abdomen: Procedure Code Group Overview

CW51-ABDOMEN-AND-PELVIS-NONIMAGING

ICD-10-PCS Code For Abdomen And Pelvis: Procedure Code Group Overview

CW53-CHEST-NONIMAGING-PROBE

ICD-10-PCS Code For Chest: Procedure Code Group Overview

CW54-CHEST-AND-ABDOMEN-NONIMAGING

ICD-10-PCS Code For Chest And Abdomen: Procedure Code Group Overview

CW56-CHEST-AND-NECK-NONIMAGING

ICD-10-PCS Code For Chest And Neck: Procedure Code Group Overview

CW5B-HEAD-AND-NECK-NONIMAGING

ICD-10-PCS Code For Head And Neck: Procedure Code Group Overview

CW5D-LOWER-EXTREMITY-NONIMAGING-PROBE

ICD-10-PCS Code For Lower Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview

CW5J-PELVIC-REGION-NONIMAGING-NUCLEAR

ICD-10-PCS Code for Pelvic Region: Procedure Code Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

3 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
CW5M1ZZ	Nonimaging Nuclear Medicine Probe of Upper Extremity using Technetium 99m (Tc-99m)
CW5MDZZ	Nonimaging Nuclear Medicine Probe of Upper Extremity using Indium 111 (In-111)
CW5MYZZ	Nonimaging Nuclear Medicine Probe of Upper Extremity using Other Radionuclide

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An elderly patient admitted with sudden-onset swelling and suspected deep venous thrombosis of the upper extremity following recent central venous catheter placement. A nonimaging nuclear medicine probe study is performed after injection of a technetium-99m labeled tracer to assess venous flow and tracer distribution in the affected arm to help confirm thrombotic occlusion. The test is ordered during the inpatient stay because ultrasound results are equivocal and clinical management depends on nuclear probe findings. Typical codes: CW5M1ZZ
A middle-aged patient admitted electively for evaluation of persistent lymphedema of the forearm after oncologic lymph node dissection. Inpatient nonimaging probe assessment using indium-111 labeled tracer is performed to measure lymphatic absorption and tracer transit in the upper extremity to guide conservative therapy planning. The procedure is scheduled during the admission as a planned diagnostic study to map lymphatic function without performing imaging. Typical codes: CW5MDZZ
A hospitalized patient with prior upper extremity radionuclide study that produced inconclusive results and persistent symptoms after therapy; repeat assessment is required to evaluate residual tracer uptake and to determine need for additional intervention. A nonimaging nuclear medicine probe study using an alternative radionuclide is performed on the involved arm to reassess distribution and absorption after initial treatment. This repeat inpatient procedure addresses an unresolved clinical issue following the initial study. Typical codes: CW5MYZZ

ICD-10-PCS Code For Abdomen: Procedure Code Group Overview

CW51-ABDOMEN-AND-PELVIS-NONIMAGING

ICD-10-PCS Code For Abdomen And Pelvis: Procedure Code Group Overview

CW53-CHEST-NONIMAGING-PROBE

ICD-10-PCS Code For Chest: Procedure Code Group Overview

CW54-CHEST-AND-ABDOMEN-NONIMAGING

ICD-10-PCS Code For Chest And Abdomen: Procedure Code Group Overview

CW56-CHEST-AND-NECK-NONIMAGING

ICD-10-PCS Code For Chest And Neck: Procedure Code Group Overview

CW5B-HEAD-AND-NECK-NONIMAGING

ICD-10-PCS Code For Head And Neck: Procedure Code Group Overview

CW5D-LOWER-EXTREMITY-NONIMAGING-PROBE

ICD-10-PCS Code For Lower Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview

CW5J-PELVIC-REGION-NONIMAGING-NUCLEAR

ICD-10-PCS Code for Pelvic Region: Procedure Code Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview

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Upper Extremity Nonimaging Nuclear Medicine Probe Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

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ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview

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Upper Extremity Nonimaging Nuclear Medicine Probe Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

References

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

References

ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Upper Extremity Nonimaging Nuclear Medicine Probe Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Upper Extremity Nonimaging Nuclear Medicine Probe Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which procedures are included in the ICD-10-PCS code group CW5M for the upper extremity?

What are the specific ICD-10-PCS codes listed in this CW5M group?

What code attributes define the CW5M procedure group?

How does accurate coding in the CW5M group affect inpatient reimbursement?

Are there related DRGs available for the CW5M code group?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which procedures are included in the ICD-10-PCS code group CW5M for the upper extremity?

What are the specific ICD-10-PCS codes listed in this CW5M group?

What code attributes define the CW5M procedure group?

How does accurate coding in the CW5M group affect inpatient reimbursement?

Are there related DRGs available for the CW5M code group?

References