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ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesAcute Sigmoid Diverticulitis

Acute Sigmoid Diverticulitis

ICD-10 Coding for Acute Sigmoid Diverticulitis(K57.32, K57.33)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYGastroenterology
COMPLEXITYHigh
LAST UPDATED09/15/2025
Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Acute Sigmoid Diverticulitis?
Essential facts and insights about Acute Sigmoid Diverticulitis

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Patients typically present with abdominal pain, particularly in the left lower quadrant, fever, and changes in bowel habits.
  • Laboratory findings may include leukocytosis, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), and possible positive stool tests for occult blood.
  • Physical examination may reveal tenderness in the left lower quadrant, possible rebound tenderness, and signs of peritoneal irritation.
  • Imaging studies such as a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis may show diverticula, thickening of the colonic wall, and pericolic fat stranding.
  • Severity can be classified based on the presence of complications such as abscess formation, perforation, or fistula.

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Medical records must document the patient's symptoms, clinical findings, and any imaging or laboratory results that support the diagnosis.
  • Specific terminology such as 'acute diverticulitis' and 'sigmoid colon' must be used to ensure clarity.
  • Examples include documenting the location of pain, results of imaging studies, and any treatments initiated.
  • Medical necessity must be established through documentation of symptoms and the rationale for diagnostic tests and treatments.
  • Quality measures may require documentation of follow-up care and patient education regarding dietary modifications.

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Use K57.32 for acute diverticulitis without perforation or abscess; use K57.33 for acute diverticulitis with perforation or abscess.
  • Do not use these codes for chronic diverticulitis or diverticulosis without inflammation.
  • K57.30 (diverticulitis of unspecified site) may be used when the specific site is not documented.
  • Common errors include coding diverticulitis without confirming the acute nature or misclassifying the site of diverticulitis.
  • In complex cases, ensure that all relevant clinical details are documented to support the selected code.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Excludes chronic diverticulitis (K57.2) and diverticulosis without inflammation (K57.9).
  • Alternative codes for excluded conditions include K57.20 for diverticulosis without diverticulitis.
  • Conditions are excluded to ensure accurate representation of the patient's clinical status and treatment needs.
  • Common mistakes include misclassifying chronic diverticulitis as acute or failing to document the presence of complications.
  • Related but distinct conditions include irritable bowel syndrome and colonic obstruction.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
K57.32
Acute diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon without perforation or abscess
K57.33
Acute diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon with perforation or abscess
Ancillary Codes
K66.0
K65.1
K57.33
.
Differential Codes
K35.80
K50.90

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Gastroenterology

Specialty Applications

  • This diagnosis applies to patients with acute inflammation of diverticula in the sigmoid colon.
  • Common patient populations include adults aged 40 and older, with higher prevalence in those with a low-fiber diet.
  • Clinical settings include inpatient admissions for severe cases and outpatient management for mild cases.
  • Gastroenterology specialists frequently manage this condition, particularly in cases requiring surgical intervention.
  • Treatment contexts include both medical management with antibiotics and dietary changes, as well as surgical options for complications.

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

  • Comprehensive clinical documentation
  • Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
  • Proper exclusion considerations
  • Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Template 1

Template: 'Patient diagnosed with acute sigmoid diverticulitis based on clinical findings of left lower quadrant pain and CT imaging.'

Template 2

Template: 'Clinical presentation consistent with acute diverticulitis including fever and leukocytosis.'

Template 3

Template: 'Diagnostic criteria for diverticulitis met as evidenced by CT findings of diverticula and pericolic fat stranding.'

Template 4

Template: 'Treatment plan initiated for acute diverticulitis with antibiotics and dietary modifications.'

Template 5

Template: 'Follow-up care for acute diverticulitis including monitoring for complications and dietary counseling.'

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

  • Ensure proper documentation for billing
  • Verify code specificity requirements
  • Check for any additional codes needed
  • Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

  • Insufficient clinical documentation
  • Incorrect code selection
  • Missing supporting diagnoses
  • Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What documentation is required for this diagnosis?

Documentation must include clinical symptoms, imaging results, and treatment plans.

How does this differ from similar diagnoses?

Acute diverticulitis is characterized by inflammation, while diverticulosis is the presence of diverticula without inflammation.

What are common billing considerations?

Ensure that the diagnosis is supported by clinical documentation to optimize reimbursement.

What procedures are typically associated?

Commonly associated procedures include colonoscopy and surgical interventions for complications.

Are there any quality reporting implications?

Quality measures may include documentation of follow-up care and patient education on dietary management.