2025 ICD-10-CM code A18
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Certain infectious and parasitic diseases - Tuberculosis 1 Feed
Tuberculosis of other organs.
Medical necessity for treatment is established by confirming the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis through appropriate diagnostic tests. The specific treatment approach (medication, surgery) is justified by the severity and location of the infection.
The physician is responsible for diagnosing and managing tuberculosis affecting various organ systems.This includes ordering appropriate tests (blood tests, tuberculin skin test, imaging), prescribing antituberculous medications and other necessary therapies, and performing surgical interventions when required.
In simple words: This code indicates tuberculosis (TB) affecting organs other than the lungs and brain.TB is a bacterial infection that can spread throughout the body. In this case, it's affecting areas like the kidneys, bones, skin, or glands. Symptoms vary depending on the affected organ but can include fever, weight loss, night sweats, and pain.
This code represents tuberculosis that affects organs other than the respiratory and central nervous systems. It encompasses various manifestations of tuberculosis in different organ systems, including the pleura, lymph nodes, abdomen (affecting liver, spleen, intestines), kidneys, bladder, bones and joints, skin, pericardium, and endocrine glands. The condition involves the formation of granulomas (inflammatory masses of cells) which can lead to fibrosis, obstruction, and other organ-specific symptoms. Diagnosis typically includes blood tests, tuberculin skin test, imaging studies (MRI or CT), and assessment of symptoms like night sweats, fever, weight loss, and pain in the affected organ system. Treatment involves antituberculous chemotherapy, sometimes combined with steroid therapy, and may require surgery for complications like abscesses, tuberculomas, and strictures.
Example 1: A patient presents with abdominal pain, weight loss, and fever.Imaging reveals granulomas in the liver and spleen, and a positive tuberculin skin test confirms the diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis (A18)., A patient with a history of TB experiences back pain and limited mobility.An MRI shows spinal involvement, indicating musculoskeletal tuberculosis (A18)., A patient develops skin lesions and enlarged lymph nodes.Biopsy and culture confirm the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in both areas, signifying concurrent cutaneous and lymphatic TB (A18).
Documentation should include evidence of TB infection (positive culture, imaging showing granulomas, or positive tuberculin skin test) and specify the affected organ(s) outside the respiratory and central nervous systems.Details of clinical findings, treatment plan, and response to therapy should also be recorded.
** This code requires a further character to specify the site (e.g., A18.0 for TB of the intestines, peritoneum, and mesenteric glands). It is important to reference the complete ICD-10-CM coding guidelines for proper usage.
- Specialties:Infectious Disease, Pulmonology, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Office, Independent Clinic