50390 Drainage of kidney lesion
Also known as: percutaneous nephrostomy, image-guided drainage, needle drainage
Percutaneous drainage of a kidney lesion (cyst, abscess, or hematoma) using a catheter placed under radiologic guidance.
In Plain Language
drainage of kidney infection or fluid collection; minimally invasive kidney drainage
Clinical Context
Used for infected renal cysts, renal abscesses, or symptomatic cysts. Performed under ultrasound or CT guidance with catheter placement.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.91 |
| Total RVU | 1.91 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 0-day global period, meaning pre- and post-operative E&M visits are billable separately on the same day. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 1.91, this code ranks in the 13th percentile among Surgery codes — 4.2x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 50390?
CPT 50390 (Drainage of kidney lesion) is a Surgery code. Percutaneous drainage of a kidney lesion (cyst, abscess, or hematoma) using a catheter placed under radiologic guidance.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 50390?
The work RVU for CPT 50390 is 1.91. This code is primarily used by Urology, Interventional Radiology, General Surgery.
When is CPT 50390 used?
Used for infected renal cysts, renal abscesses, or symptomatic cysts. Performed under ultrasound or CT guidance with catheter placement.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.