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 to 00 when no lymph nodes are removed (including FNA, core biopsy, sentinel lymph node biopsy or lymph node dissection) and there is no mention of para-aortic nodes
* Para-aortic nodes are not routinely examined unless there is suspected involvement
* If lymph nodes are removed and only pelvic lymph nodes are assessed, or only "nodes" are documented, 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.
Default
X8
Metadata
SSDI
| 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
Para-aortic lymph nodes not assessed or unknown if assessed |
