Ulcerative colitis, unspecified with other complication
ICD-10 K51.918 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, unspecified with other complication.
Ulcerative colitis 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 (often bloody), and urgency to defecate. 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, and an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Diagnostic considerations include a thorough patient history, physical examination, and confirmatory tests such as colonoscopy with biopsy, which can help differentiate ulcerative colitis from other gastrointestinal conditions like Crohn's disease. The unspecified nature of K51.918 indicates that the specific extent of colonic involvement or the precise complications are not documented, necessitating careful clinical evaluation to guide treatment and management strategies.
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
K51.918 covers ulcerative colitis that is unspecified in terms of severity or complications. It may include cases with mild to moderate symptoms without clear documentation of specific complications such as strictures or abscesses.
K51.918 should be used when the specific type or extent of ulcerative colitis is not documented, and there are other complications present that do not fit into more specific codes.
Documentation should include a comprehensive patient history, physical examination findings, results from diagnostic tests such as colonoscopy, and any treatment plans that indicate the presence of complications.
