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2025 ICD-10-CM code K13.3

Hairy leukoplakia is a condition characterized by white, hairy-looking patches on the side of the tongue.

Coding should follow official ICD-10-CM guidelines.Specific guidelines for K13.3 are not separately listed, but adhere to general coding rules regarding the selection of the most specific diagnosis.

Modifiers are not applicable to ICD-10 codes.

Documentation should establish a clinical indication for the code. In most cases, hairy leukoplakia is a clinical finding documented during a routine examination or associated with an underlying condition.Medical necessity isn't a concern if hairy leukoplakia is a simple clinical finding, unless treatment is being considered.

The clinical responsibility for managing a patient with hairy leukoplakia will depend on the overall health of the individual.A primary care physician, dentist, or an infectious disease specialist could be involved, particularly if the patient is immunocompromised or has additional health concerns.Further investigation might be warranted to identify and address any underlying conditions contributing to immunosuppression.

IMPORTANT:No alternate codes explicitly listed, but related codes within the K13 category may be relevant depending on the specific presentation.Consider K13.2 (Leukoplakia and other disturbances of oral epithelium, including tongue) for similar lesions that lack the characteristic hairy appearance.

In simple words: Hairy leukoplakia is a harmless condition that causes white, fuzzy patches on the sides of your tongue. It's usually caused by a virus and often appears in people with weakened immune systems.It usually doesn't need treatment and might go away on its own.

Hairy leukoplakia is a benign (non-cancerous) condition that appears as white, hairy-looking lesions or patches on the lateral borders of the tongue.It's most commonly associated with infection by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), often seen in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS. The lesions are typically asymptomatic but can sometimes cause mild discomfort. The diagnosis is usually made through clinical examination and often doesn't require further testing. Treatment isn't always necessary, as the lesions may resolve spontaneously, especially with improved immune function. In some cases, antiviral medications might be considered.

Example 1: A 45-year-old male with HIV presents with white patches on the sides of his tongue.Clinical examination confirms the presence of hairy leukoplakia.No specific treatment is initiated, and the patient is advised to maintain regular dental checkups and follow-up appointments to monitor his immune status and the lesion's progression., A 30-year-old female undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer develops hairy leukoplakia.The oncologist and dentist coordinate care, with the dentist providing supportive care and monitoring for any oral discomfort.The hairy leukoplakia is documented as an expected side effect of her cancer treatment., A 60-year-old male with a history of alcohol abuse presents with a white lesion on the side of his tongue.A biopsy confirms hairy leukoplakia.This finding is documented along with alcohol abuse in his medical record.Addressing his alcohol dependency is deemed essential for improving his overall health and potentially influencing his immune status and thus the evolution of the hairy leukoplakia.

** Hairy leukoplakia is generally considered a benign condition. However, its presence might indicate underlying immunodeficiency, which requires careful assessment and management.

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