Find information on sinus disease diagnosis including sinusitis, rhinosinusitis, acute sinusitis, chronic sinusitis, and nasal congestion. Learn about associated symptoms, clinical documentation requirements for accurate medical coding, and healthcare provider resources. Explore ICD-10 codes for sinus infections, treatment options, and best practices for diagnosing sinus conditions in a clinical setting.
Also known as
Chronic sinusitis
Long-term inflammation of the nasal sinuses.
Acute sinusitis
Short-term inflammation of the nasal sinuses.
Nasal polyp
Growths within the nasal passages or sinuses.
Other diseases of nasal cavity and sinuses
Includes various nasal and sinus conditions not classified elsewhere.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Acute or chronic sinusitis?
Acute
Specific causative organism identified?
Chronic
With nasal polyp?
When to use each related code
Description |
---|
Sinus infection (sinusitis) |
Acute rhinitis |
Nasal polyps |
Coding unspecified sinusitis (J32.9) when documentation supports a more specific type (e.g., acute, chronic) leads to inaccurate severity and reimbursement.
Missing documentation of sinusitis laterality (right, left, bilateral) impacts coding accuracy and potential medical necessity reviews for bilateral procedures.
Lack of clear documentation differentiating viral vs. bacterial sinusitis (e.g., J01.0 vs. J01.90) affects coding and appropriate antibiotic stewardship reporting.
Patient presents with symptoms consistent with sinus disease, including sinus pressure, facial pain, nasal congestion, and thick nasal discharge. Onset of symptoms reported as [duration]. Associated symptoms may include headache, cough, fatigue, and decreased sense of smell or taste. Patient reports [triggers, if any, e.g., seasonal allergies, exposure to irritants]. Physical examination reveals [objective findings, e.g., tenderness to palpation over sinuses, erythematous nasal mucosa, purulent drainage]. Differential diagnoses considered include viral upper respiratory infection, allergic rhinitis, and bacterial sinusitis. Based on clinical presentation and examination findings, the diagnosis of sinusitis is made. Severity is assessed as [acute, subacute, chronic]. Treatment plan includes [e.g., saline nasal irrigation, intranasal corticosteroids, oral decongestants, antibiotics if bacterial infection suspected, antihistamines if allergies contributing]. Patient education provided regarding symptom management, potential complications, and follow-up care. Follow-up scheduled in [duration] to assess response to treatment. ICD-10 code [appropriate code based on type and acuity of sinusitis] assigned. CPT codes for evaluation and management services documented.