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2025 ICD-10-CM code T18.1

Foreign body in esophagus.

Use additional code(s) from Chapter 20 (External causes of morbidity) to indicate the cause of the injury.If a foreign body is retained, use code Z18.-.

Medical necessity is established by the presence of a foreign body in the esophagus posing a risk to the patient's health, potentially causing airway obstruction, esophageal perforation, or infection.Removal of the foreign body is deemed medically necessary to alleviate these risks.

The clinician is responsible for identifying and removing the foreign body, managing any complications (e.g., perforation, infection), and ensuring the patient's airway is protected.They also provide appropriate aftercare and patient education.

In simple words: Something stuck in the food pipe (esophagus).

The presence of a foreign object lodged within the esophagus.

Example 1: A child swallows a small toy and experiences difficulty swallowing and drooling.Imaging reveals the toy lodged in the esophagus., An adult chokes on a piece of meat, and it becomes partially obstructed in the esophagus, causing chest pain and discomfort., An elderly individual with dentures accidentally swallows a portion of their denture, leading to esophageal blockage and potential respiratory distress.

Documentation should include details of the incident, symptoms, diagnostic imaging findings (e.g., X-ray, CT scan), procedures performed for removal, and any associated complications.

** Excludes1: birth trauma (P10-P15), obstetric trauma (O70-O71).Excludes2: foreign body in pharynx (T17.2-), foreign body in respiratory tract (T17.-).

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