Number of Examined Para-Aortic Nodes
Notes
**Note 1:** Physician statement of examined para-aortic nodes can be used to code this data item when no other information is available. **Note 2:** The following are para-aortic nodes * Aortic * Lateral aortic/lateral lumbar * Para-aortic, NOS * Periaortic **Note 3:** Record the number of examined para-aortic lymph nodes documented in the medical record. **Note 4:** For the following * Code 00 when no lymph nodes are examined by FNA, core biopsy or removal of lymph node(s) (e.g., sentinel lymph node biopsy or lymph node dissection) * If a lymph node dissection is done and only pelvic lymph nodes are assessed, or only "nodes" are documented without specifying pelvic or para-aortic, code to 00 * Code X6 If only a FNA or core biopsy is done * Code X9 if it’s unknown if lymph nodes were removed **Note 5:** The number of para-aortic nodes positive is recorded in 3901: Number of Positive Para-aortic Nodes.| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 00 | No para-aortic nodes examined |
| 01-99 | 1 - 99 para-aortic nodes examined (Exact number of para-aortic lymph nodes examined) |
| X1 | 100 or more para-aortic nodes examined |
| X2 | Para-aortic nodes examined, number unknown |
| X6 | No para-aortic lymph nodes removed, but aspiration or core biopsy of para-aortic node(s) only |
| X8 | Not applicable: Information not collected for this case (If this item is required by your standard setter, use of code X8 will result in an edit error.) |
| X9 | Not documented in medical record Cannot be determined, indeterminate if examined para-aortic nodes present No lymph node dissection performed Para-aortic lymph nodes not assessed or unknown if assessed |