Find comprehensive information on pancreatitis diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding (ICD-10-CM, SNOMED CT), symptoms, treatment, and healthcare guidelines. Learn about acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, and hereditary pancreatitis, along with relevant laboratory findings, imaging studies, and differential diagnoses. Explore resources for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals seeking accurate and up-to-date information on pancreatitis management and documentation.
Also known as
Diseases of pancreas
Covers various pancreatic conditions including pancreatitis.
Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis can cause pancreatic insufficiency and pancreatitis.
Postprocedural disorders of digestive system
Includes pancreatitis following certain medical procedures.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the pancreatitis acute?
Yes
Due to alcohol?
No
Is it chronic?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Pancreatitis: Inflamed pancreas |
| Cholecystitis: Gallbladder inflammation |
| Peptic ulcer disease: Stomach/duodenal ulcer |
Coding pancreatitis without specifying acute, chronic, or other type leads to inaccurate severity and impacts reimbursement.
Missing or unclear documentation of the cause (e.g., alcohol, gallstones) affects code selection and quality metrics.
Local or systemic complications (e.g., pseudocyst, organ failure) must be coded separately for accurate reflection of severity.
Patient presents with acute pancreatitis, characterized by severe epigastric pain radiating to the back. The pain is described as constant and boring, exacerbated by eating. Associated symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and anorexia. Physical examination reveals epigastric tenderness and guarding. Differential diagnosis includes biliary pancreatitis, gallstones, alcohol-induced pancreatitis, hypertriglyceridemia, drug-induced pancreatitis, and idiopathic pancreatitis. Laboratory findings show elevated serum amylase and lipase, consistent with the diagnosis. Initial management includes pain control with intravenous analgesics, aggressive fluid resuscitation, and bowel rest. Abdominal imaging, such as an ultrasound or CT scan of the abdomen, is ordered to evaluate for gallstones, pancreatic necrosis, or pseudocyst formation. The patient will be monitored for complications such as pancreatic insufficiency, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and sepsis. ICD-10 code K85.9, acute pancreatitis unspecified, is assigned. Treatment plan includes continued supportive care, with consideration for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) if biliary obstruction is identified. Patient education provided on the importance of dietary modifications, alcohol cessation if applicable, and follow-up care. Prognosis is dependent on the severity of the pancreatitis and the presence of complications.