A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Frozen Section, Pathology

Test Code
FSECT


Alias/See Also
Intraoperative Exam, Frozen Section


Preferred Specimen
Specimens:  Surgical specimens are submitted to the Pathologist in the fresh state (no fixative).  The Pathologist discusses with the surgeon the information needed from the consultation, verifies the patient’s name associated with the specimen and confirms patient's name on both copies on the frozen section report form.
 
  1. The Pathologist evaluates the gross specimen and determines if a diagnosis can be rendered from the gross impression of the tissues or if a cytology scrape slide or frozen section is required.
    1. If a frozen section is needed, the pathologist prepares and stains the slide(s).
    2. In cases where a cytologic diagnosis is required, a smear of the cut surface of the lesion is prepared, rapidly fixed, stained and cover slipped.
  2. After the interpretation requiring a frozen section block, the tissue is thawed and placed in 10% formalin along with the remaining unfixed tissue, if any.
  3. The slides and the copy of the consultation report are placed in a cardboard slide folder and the slide folder and duplicate consult report is placed in the holding area for specimens or hand carried by the Pathologist back to the CMC facility Lab to be taken by courier to Sierra Pathology Laboratory, Inc.
  4. All Frozen Section consultations and rapid cytologic examination results are included in the final written pathology report before the microscopic and/or diagnosis portion of the report.


Setup Schedule
Schedule Frozen section per facility procedure.


Clinical Significance
Pathologists provide accurate and timely surgical consultation and/or frozen section interpretations to assist the surgeon’s decision making process at the time of surgery.  Pathologists are provided with facility cryostat(s) and a permanent frozen section room maintained by hospital staff.


Performing Laboratory
Frozen Section analysis is available at all three facilities.
CRMC Laboratory
CCMC Laboratory
FHSH Laboratory



The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.