Guidance
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy in August 2014.
Description
Hyperthyroidism causes symptoms such as anxiety, weight loss, breathlessness, tiredness, and eye problems. The overactive thyroid is usually enlarged and clearly visible (goitre). The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves' Disease, an autoimmune disease where antibodies stimulate the thyroid cells to secrete excess thyroid hormone. Other causes include toxic adenoma and toxic multinodular goitre.
First line treatment for hyperthyroidism includes medication to reduce the production of thyroxine or radioiodine treatment. Radioiodine treatment involves taking a drink or a capsule that contains radioactive iodine. The radioactivity concentrates in the thyroid gland and destroys some of the thyroid tissue. Surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid gland is also an option.
Thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer usually develops slowly and the most common first sign is a small, painless lump in the neck. Other symptoms include hoarseness, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, difficulty swallowing or breathing, and pain in the throat or neck. The most common types of thyroid cancer are papillary and follicular thyroid cancer.
The most common treatment for thyroid cancer is surgery to remove all, or part of, the thyroid gland. This is sometimes followed by radioactive iodine treatment or radiotherapy.
Coding recommendations
Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy:
B08.9 Unspecified excision of thyroid gland
(Other codes from B08 Excision of thyroid gland may be used instead, dependent upon the degree of the thyroid gland excision.)
Y76.3 Endoscopic approach to other body cavity
Minimally invasive video-assisted parathyroidectomy:
B14.9 Unspecified excision of parathyroid gland
(Other codes from B14 Excision of parathyroid gland may be used instead, dependent upon the degree of the parathyroid gland excision.)
Y76.3 Endoscopic approach to other body cavity