2025 ICD-10-CM code K26.3
Acute duodenal ulcer without hemorrhage or perforation.
Medical necessity for the diagnostic workup and treatment of an acute duodenal ulcer is based on the patient's symptoms, clinical findings, and the potential for complications such as bleeding or perforation.Treatment is necessary to alleviate symptoms, promote healing, and prevent serious complications.
Clinicians responsible for diagnosing and managing this condition include gastroenterologists, primary care physicians, and general surgeons.Responsibilities include taking a detailed history, performing a physical exam, ordering appropriate diagnostic tests (such as upper endoscopy or imaging studies), and developing a treatment plan. Treatment may include medications to reduce stomach acid production, antibiotics to address H. pylori infection (if present), and lifestyle modifications.Close monitoring for complications like bleeding or perforation is crucial.
In simple words: This code indicates a patient has a new ulcer in their duodenum, the first part of their small intestine, and it's not bleeding or causing a hole in the intestine wall.
This code represents an acute duodenal ulcer that does not involve any bleeding or perforation.A duodenal ulcer is a sore that develops in the lining of the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine.
Example 1: A 35-year-old patient presents with epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting. An upper endoscopy reveals an active ulcer in the duodenum with no signs of bleeding or perforation. The patient is diagnosed with an acute duodenal ulcer and started on medication to reduce stomach acid., A 50-year-old patient with a history of chronic NSAID use experiences sudden onset of severe abdominal pain. Imaging reveals a perforated duodenal ulcer. While the acute ulcer is part of the picture, K26.1 (Acute duodenal ulcer with perforation) would be the correct code in this scenario., A 40-year-old patient with a history of peptic ulcer disease presents with coffee-ground emesis (vomiting of blood that looks like coffee grounds).Endoscopy reveals an actively bleeding duodenal ulcer.Again, while an acute ulcer is present, code K26.0 (Acute duodenal ulcer with hemorrhage) would better reflect this clinical scenario.
Documentation should include details of the patient's symptoms, medical history (including any risk factors such as NSAID use or H. pylori infection), diagnostic findings (endoscopy reports, imaging studies), and treatment plan. The location, size, and characteristics of the ulcer should be clearly documented in the endoscopic findings. The absence of hemorrhage and perforation should also be explicitly noted.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, General Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Office