Ulcerative colitis, unspecified, with complications
ICD-10 K51.91 is a used to indicate a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, unspecified, with complications.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the colonic mucosa. The condition typically presents with symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and urgency. The anatomy involved primarily includes the colon and rectum, with varying degrees of involvement from the rectum alone (proctitis) to the entire colon (pancolitis). Disease progression can lead to complications such as severe dehydration, toxic megacolon, perforation, and increased risk of colorectal cancer. Diagnostic considerations for K51.91 include a thorough patient history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests such as colonoscopy with biopsy, imaging studies, and laboratory tests to rule out other gastrointestinal conditions. The unspecified nature of this code indicates that while complications are present, the specific type or severity of ulcerative colitis has not been detailed, necessitating careful clinical evaluation and documentation to guide treatment and management.
Standard ICD-10-CM documentation requirements apply
Various clinical presentations within this specialty area
Follow specialty-specific billing guidelines
Standard ICD-10-CM documentation requirements apply
Various clinical presentations within this specialty area
Follow specialty-specific billing guidelines
K51.91 covers ulcerative colitis with unspecified complications, which may include severe symptoms, hospitalization, or other complications like toxic megacolon or perforation, but does not specify the exact nature of these complications.
K51.91 should be used when a patient presents with ulcerative colitis and complications, but the specific type or severity of the complications is not clearly defined. If the complications are specified, more specific codes should be utilized.
Documentation should include a detailed patient history, clinical findings, results from diagnostic tests (e.g., colonoscopy), and any treatment plans that indicate the presence of complications associated with ulcerative colitis.
