Find information on swollen tonsils, including clinical documentation, medical coding, ICD-10 codes J03.90, J03.0, J35.0, and tonsillitis treatment. Learn about causes, symptoms like sore throat and difficulty swallowing, and diagnostic criteria for enlarged tonsils. Explore resources for healthcare professionals on accurate medical coding and documentation of tonsillar hypertrophy and acute tonsillitis. This comprehensive guide provides essential information for accurate diagnosis and billing related to swollen tonsils.
Also known as
Acute tonsillitis
Inflammation of the tonsils, often causing swelling.
Chronic tonsillitis and adenoids
Long-term tonsil inflammation, potentially with swelling.
Peritonsillar abscess
Collection of pus near tonsils, causing significant swelling.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the tonsil swelling related to acute tonsillitis?
Yes
Streptococcal infection confirmed?
No
Related to hypertrophy?
When to use each related code
Description |
---|
Swollen tonsils |
Tonsillitis |
Peritonsillar abscess |
Coding swollen tonsils without specifying unilateral or bilateral can lead to inaccurate billing and clinical data.
Failing to document if the swollen tonsils are due to infection (e.g., tonsillitis) or other causes impacts proper coding and treatment.
Miscoding swollen tonsils as a peritonsillar abscess, a more serious condition, can lead to overtreatment and incorrect reimbursement.
Patient presents with complaints of sore throat, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and enlarged tonsils. On examination, the tonsils appear erythematous and enlarged, with or without tonsillar exudates. The patient may also exhibit symptoms such as fever, headache, cervical lymphadenopathy, and odynophagia. The differential diagnosis includes viral tonsillitis, bacterial tonsillitis, streptococcal pharyngitis, infectious mononucleosis, and peritonsillar abscess. A rapid strep test andor throat culture may be performed to rule out streptococcal infection. Treatment for swollen tonsils depends on the underlying cause. Supportive care such as rest, fluids, and pain management with over-the-counter analgesics like ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be recommended. If a bacterial infection is confirmed, antibiotics may be prescribed. In cases of recurrent tonsillitis or significant airway obstruction, tonsillectomy may be considered. Patient education regarding proper hygiene and symptom management was provided. Follow-up is recommended to monitor symptom resolution and evaluate for any complications. ICD-10 codes J03.9 (Acute tonsillitis, unspecified) or J35.0 (Chronic tonsillitis) may be applicable depending on the clinical presentation. CPT codes for evaluation and management (e.g., 99202-99215) or procedures (e.g., 42820 for tonsillectomy) should be used as appropriate for billing purposes.