2025 ICD-10-CM code K57.8
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Diseases of the digestive system - Other diseases of intestines Diseases of the digestive system Feed
Diverticulitis of the intestine, unspecified location, with perforation and abscess.
Modifiers may be used to indicate the location of the diverticulitis or the type of procedure performed.Consult the official coding guidelines for specific modifier usage.
Medical necessity for coding K57.8 is established through the presence of clinical symptoms consistent with diverticulitis, confirmation by imaging studies of perforation and abscess formation, and the need for medical or surgical management to treat the infection and prevent further complications like peritonitis or sepsis.
The clinical responsibility for this code would typically fall upon a gastroenterologist or general surgeon.Diagnosis involves physical examination, medical history, and imaging studies (like CT scan or abdominal X-ray) to identify the location, extent, and complications of the diverticulitis. Treatment may include antibiotics, bowel rest, drainage of abscesses, or surgery.
In simple words: This code means there's an infection in a small pouch (diverticulum) in the intestine that has burst, causing an abscess (a pocket of pus).
K57.8, Diverticular disease of intestine, part unspecified, with perforation and abscess, is an ICD-10-CM code that classifies diverticulitis affecting an unspecified part of the intestine, accompanied by perforation (a hole in the intestinal wall) and the formation of an abscess (a localized collection of pus).This code includes cases of diverticular disease of the intestine, not otherwise specified (NOS), with peritonitis (inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity).
Example 1: A 65-year-old patient presents with severe abdominal pain, fever, and elevated white blood cell count. CT scan reveals perforated diverticulitis in the sigmoid colon with an associated abscess. Code K57.8 is assigned., A 70-year-old patient experiences mild abdominal discomfort and is diagnosed with diverticulitis in an unspecified location of the intestine via colonoscopy.A perforation and an abscess are detected.K57.8 is appropriate., A 58-year-old patient with a history of diverticulitis has recurring symptoms.Imaging shows an abscess associated with a perforation in an unspecified area of the intestine.The patient is treated surgically with drainage.Code K57.8 applies.
Complete medical history, physical examination findings documenting abdominal pain, tenderness, and fever.Imaging studies (CT scan, abdominal X-ray, or MRI) confirming the presence of diverticulitis, perforation, and abscess.Laboratory results showing elevated inflammatory markers (white blood cell count, CRP).Operative reports or discharge summaries if surgical intervention was performed.
** This code should be used cautiously and only when the location of the diverticulitis cannot be specified.Always cross-reference with other findings and supporting documentation.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Gastroenterology, General Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center