Dysphagia, pharyngoesophageal phase
ICD-10 R13.14 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of dysphagia, pharyngoesophageal phase.
Dysphagia, specifically in the pharyngoesophageal phase, refers to difficulty swallowing that occurs during the transition of food from the pharynx to the esophagus. This phase is critical as it involves the coordination of muscular contractions and the closure of the airway to prevent aspiration. Symptoms may include a sensation of food being stuck in the throat, coughing or choking during meals, and regurgitation. Patients may also experience pain while swallowing (odynophagia) and may avoid certain foods or liquids due to fear of choking. This condition can arise from various underlying causes, including neurological disorders (such as stroke or Parkinson's disease), structural abnormalities (like tumors or strictures), or muscular disorders (such as myasthenia gravis). Accurate diagnosis often requires a thorough clinical evaluation, including a detailed history, physical examination, and potentially imaging studies or endoscopic evaluations to assess the swallowing mechanism and identify any anatomical or functional abnormalities.
Detailed patient history, including onset, duration, and characteristics of dysphagia; any associated symptoms such as weight loss or aspiration.
Patients presenting with chronic dysphagia, often with comorbid conditions such as GERD or neurological disorders.
Consideration of medication side effects that may contribute to dysphagia, and the need for a multidisciplinary approach for management.
Acute assessment of airway status, vital signs, and immediate interventions taken; documentation of any aspiration events.
Patients presenting with acute choking episodes or aspiration pneumonia.
Rapid assessment and intervention are critical; documentation must reflect the urgency of the situation and any emergent procedures performed.
Used when a patient is evaluated for dysphagia.
Document the rationale for the evaluation and findings from the assessment.
May require collaboration with speech-language pathology for comprehensive assessment.
R13.14 specifies dysphagia in the pharyngoesophageal phase, while R13.10 is used when the phase is not specified. Accurate documentation is crucial to determine the appropriate code.
