Understanding Hilar Lymphadenopathy: This guide provides essential information for healthcare professionals on hilar lymphadenopathy, including clinical documentation best practices, ICD-10 coding (R59.8), differential diagnosis, associated symptoms (cough, shortness of breath), causes (infection, sarcoidosis, malignancy), radiology findings (enlarged hilar lymph nodes on chest X-ray or CT scan), and treatment considerations. Learn about accurate medical coding and documentation for improved patient care and billing.
Also known as
Enlarged lymph nodes
Covers localized or generalized lymph node enlargement, including hilar.
Unspecified lymphadenopathy
Used when the location or cause of lymphadenopathy is not specified.
Other respiratory disorders
May be used for hilar lymphadenopathy associated with respiratory conditions.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is hilar lymphadenopathy due to a specific disease?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Enlarged lymph nodes in the hila |
| Sarcoidosis |
| Lymphoma |
Coding lacks laterality (right, left, bilateral) causing claim denials and inaccurate data reporting. CDI can query for clarity.
Hilar lymphadenopathy is a symptom. Missing underlying etiology (e.g., infection, malignancy) impacts DRG assignment and quality metrics. CDI crucial.
Code assignment must be supported by clinical documentation. Insufficient evidence can lead to audit failures and compliance issues. CDI ensures accurate reflection of findings.
Patient presents with [signs/symptoms, e.g., cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, weight loss, fatigue] concerning for hilar lymphadenopathy. Differential diagnosis includes sarcoidosis, lymphoma, tuberculosis, fungal infections, lung cancer, and other mediastinal pathologies. Physical exam reveals [relevant findings, e.g., clear breath sounds, palpable lymph nodes, etc.]. Imaging studies, including [chest x-ray, CT scan of the chest with contrast, PET scan], demonstrate enlargement of lymph nodes in the hilar region, measuring [size in mm]. Location and characteristics of lymphadenopathy noted as [e.g., bilateral, unilateral, calcified, necrotic]. Pulmonary function tests [performed/not performed], revealing [results if performed]. Laboratory tests ordered include [e.g., complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, angiotensin-converting enzyme, purified protein derivative skin test, fungal serologies]. Preliminary assessment suggests [possible diagnoses]. Further investigation with [e.g., bronchoscopy with biopsy, mediastinoscopy, endobronchial ultrasound] is planned to obtain tissue for histopathological analysis and confirm the etiology of hilar lymphadenopathy. Patient education provided regarding the potential causes, diagnostic procedures, and treatment options for enlarged hilar lymph nodes. Follow-up scheduled in [timeframe] to review results and discuss next steps in management. ICD-10 code [R59.8, other specified enlarged lymph nodes] is provisionally assigned, pending definitive diagnosis. Medical billing codes will be finalized based on the complete workup and treatment plan.