Find comprehensive information on pilonidal disease diagnosis, including clinical documentation, ICD-10 codes (L05), medical coding guidelines, and healthcare best practices. Learn about pilonidal cyst treatment, surgical procedures, and postoperative care. This resource provides essential information for physicians, nurses, medical coders, and other healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis and management of pilonidal sinus disease. Explore symptoms, differential diagnosis, and effective treatment strategies for this common condition.
Also known as
Pilonidal cyst with abscess
Infection of hair follicle in natal cleft.
Pilonidal cyst with abscess
Active infection in the pilonidal sinus.
Pilonidal cyst without abscess
Pilonidal sinus without active infection.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the pilonidal disease acute (abscess/infection)?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Painful cyst/abscess near tailbone |
| Hair follicle infection (not tailbone) |
| Anal fistula/abscess |
Coding pilonidal disease without specifying the location (e.g., coccyx, buttock) can lead to claim denials and inaccurate data. Use ICD-10-CM specificity for proper reimbursement.
Incorrectly coding a pilonidal cyst as an abscess or vice versa can impact severity reporting and resource allocation. CDI must clarify the current state.
Distinguishing between acute and chronic pilonidal disease is crucial for accurate tracking and treatment. Documentation should support this distinction for proper coding.
Patient presents with complaints consistent with pilonidal cyst symptoms, including pain, swelling, and drainage near the tailbone or natal cleft. On examination, a pilonidal sinus, abscess, or dimple is observed in the sacrococcygeal region. The area may exhibit erythema, tenderness, induration, and purulent discharge with a foul odor. Differential diagnoses considered include hidradenitis suppurativa, perianal abscess, and furuncle. The patient's medical history was reviewed for risk factors such as obesity, hirsutism, sedentary lifestyle, deep natal cleft, and family history of pilonidal disease. Severity of the pilonidal abscess is assessed based on the presence of cellulitis, systemic symptoms such as fever, and the extent of the lesion. Treatment options discussed include conservative management with warm compresses, antibiotics for infection, and incision and drainage for abscesses. Surgical treatment options, such as excision with primary closure, excision with healing by secondary intention, or marsupialization, may be considered for recurrent or chronic pilonidal disease. Patient education provided regarding wound care, hygiene, and recurrence prevention. Follow-up appointment scheduled for wound check and further management as needed. ICD-10 code H60.1 (acute pilonidal abscess with skin involvement) or H60.0 (acute pilonidal abscess without skin involvement) is appropriate, depending on the presentation. CPT codes for procedures performed, such as incision and drainage (10060, 10061) or excision (11770, 11772), will be documented accordingly.