Find comprehensive information on tonsillar hypertrophy, including clinical documentation tips, ICD-10 codes (J35.0, J35.01, J35.02, J35.03), SNOMED CT codes, and medical coding guidelines. Learn about enlarged tonsils, tonsil grading scales, obstructive sleep apnea, and the diagnosis and treatment of tonsillar hypertrophy in children and adults. This resource supports healthcare professionals with accurate medical coding and complete clinical documentation for optimal patient care.
Also known as
Chronic tonsillitis
Chronic inflammation of the tonsils, often with hypertrophy.
Hypertrophy of tonsils
Enlarged tonsils without current inflammation.
Other diseases of tonsils
Tonsil conditions not otherwise specified, including possible hypertrophy.
Disease of tonsils, unspecified
Unspecified tonsil condition, potentially including hypertrophy.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the tonsillar hypertrophy obstructive?
Yes
Sleep apnea confirmed?
No
Any inflammation/infection?
When to use each related code
Description |
---|
Enlarged tonsils |
Tonsillitis |
Adenotonsillar hypertrophy |
Coding tonsillar hypertrophy without specifying unilateral or bilateral (e.g., using only J35.2) can lead to inaccurate reimbursement and data analysis.
Failing to distinguish between obstructive (J35.2) and non-obstructive hypertrophy impacts severity coding and potential medical necessity reviews.
Concurrent adenoid hypertrophy (J35.3) often accompanies tonsillar hypertrophy. Missing this diagnosis impacts treatment coding and patient care.
Patient presents with complaints consistent with tonsillar hypertrophy. Symptoms include snoring, sleep apnea, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), mouth breathing, nasal obstruction, recurrent tonsillitis, or voice changes. Physical examination reveals enlarged tonsils, potentially obstructing the airway, with or without evidence of tonsillar exudate, erythema, or crypts. The tonsillar grading was assessed (Grade 1-4). Differential diagnoses considered include adenoid hypertrophy, peritonsillar abscess, infectious mononucleosis, and other causes of upper airway obstruction. The diagnosis of tonsillar hypertrophy was made based on clinical presentation and physical examination findings. Treatment options discussed include watchful waiting, medical management such as nasal corticosteroids or antibiotics if indicated for concurrent infection, and surgical management such as tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy if symptoms are severe or persistent. Patient education provided regarding the risks and benefits of each treatment option. Follow-up scheduled to monitor symptom progression and treatment response. ICD-10 code J35.0 (Chronic tonsillitis) or J35.1 (Hypertrophy of tonsils) is considered, depending on the presence of chronic inflammation. CPT codes for potential procedures, such as tonsillectomy (42820, 42821, 42825, 42826) or adenoidectomy (42830, 42831, 42835, 42836), were reviewed and will be selected based on the chosen treatment plan.