2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J35.8

Other chronic diseases of tonsils and adenoids

ICD-10-CM Code:
J35.8
ICD-10 Code for:
Other chronic diseases of tonsils and adenoids
Is Billable?
Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Chronic
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the respiratory system
    (J00–J99)
    • Other diseases of upper respiratory tract
      (J30-J39)
      • Chronic diseases of tonsils and adenoids
        (J35)

J35.8 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of other chronic diseases of tonsils and adenoids. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

Approximate Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

  • Adenoid vegetations
  • Amygdalolith
  • Bilateral palatine tonsil hyperemia
  • Bleeding of pharynx
  • Cicatrix of adenoid
  • Cicatrix of tonsil
  • Congestion of throat
  • Cryptic tonsil
  • Cyst of pharynx
  • Cyst of pharynx
  • Cyst of pharynx
  • Cyst of tonsil
  • Discharge of tonsil
  • Exudate on tonsils
  • Finding of size of tonsil
  • Hemorrhage of right tonsil
  • Hyperemia of pharynx
  • Peritonsillar cyst
  • Pharyngeal hemorrhage
  • Remnant adenoids
  • Size of adenoids - finding
  • Small adenoids
  • Small tonsils
  • Tonsil asymmetry
  • Tonsil congested
  • Tonsillar debris
  • Tonsillar hemorrhage
  • Tonsillar remnants
  • Tonsillar retention cyst
  • Tonsillar tag
  • Tonsils meet in middle
  • Ulcer of pharynx
  • Ulcer of pharynx
  • Ulcer of tonsil
  • Ulcer of tonsil due to amygdalolith

Clinical Classification

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Inclusion Terms

Inclusion Terms
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
  • Adenoid vegetations
  • Amygdalolith
  • Calculus, tonsil
  • Cicatrix of tonsil (and adenoid)
  • Tonsillar tag
  • Ulcer of tonsil

Index to Diseases and Injuries References

The following annotation back-references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index. The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10-CM code(s).

Convert J35.8 to ICD-9-CM

  • ICD-9-CM Code: 474.2 - Adenoid vegetations
    Approximate Flag - The approximate mapping means there is not an exact match between the ICD-10 and ICD-9 codes and the mapped code is not a precise representation of the original code.
  • ICD-9-CM Code: 474.8 - Chr T & A dis NEC
    Approximate Flag - The approximate mapping means there is not an exact match between the ICD-10 and ICD-9 codes and the mapped code is not a precise representation of the original code.

Patient Education


Adenoids

What are adenoids?

Adenoids are a patch of tissue that is high up in the throat, just behind the nose. They, along with the tonsils, are part of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system clears away infection and keeps body fluids in balance. The adenoids and tonsils work by trapping germs coming in through the mouth and nose.

Adenoids usually start to shrink after about age 5. By the teenage years, they are almost completely gone. By then, the body has other ways to fight germs.

What are enlarged adenoids?

Enlarged adenoids are adenoids that are swollen. It is a common problem in children.

What causes enlarged adenoids?

Your child's adenoids can be enlarged, or swollen, for different reasons. It may just be that your child had enlarged adenoids at birth. Adenoids can also become enlarged when they are trying to fight off an infection. They might stay enlarged even after the infection is gone.

What problems can enlarged adenoids cause?

Enlarged adenoids can make it hard to breathe through the nose. Your child might end up breathing only through the mouth. This may cause:

  • A dry mouth, which can also lead to bad breath
  • Cracked lips
  • A runny nose

Other problems that enlarged adenoids can cause include:

  • Loud breathing
  • Snoring
  • Restless sleep
  • Sleep apnea, a disorder that causes you to repeatedly stop breathing fduring sleep
  • Ear infections

How can enlarged adenoids be diagnosed?

To find out if your child has enlarged adenoids, the health care provider will:

  • Ask about your child's medical history, including asking about your child's symptoms
  • Check your child's ears, throat, and mouth
  • Feel your child's neck

Since the adenoids are higher up than the throat, the provider cannot see them just by looking through your child's mouth. To check the size of your child's adenoids, your provider may use:

  • A special mirror in the mouth
  • A long, flexible tube with a light (an endoscope)
  • An x-ray

What are the treatments for enlarged adenoids?

The treatment depends on what is causing the problem. If the symptoms are not too bad, your child may not need treatment. If treatment is needed, your child may get nasal spray to reduce the swelling or antibiotics if the provider thinks that there is a bacterial infection.

In some cases, your child may need an adenoidectomy.

What is an adenoidectomy and why might I my child need one?

An adenoidectomy is surgery to remove the adenoids. The provider may recommend this surgery if:

  • Your child has repeated infections of the adenoids. Sometimes the infections can also cause ear infections and fluid buildup in the middle ear.
  • Antibiotics can't get rid of a bacterial infection of the adenoids.
  • The enlarged adenoids block the airways.

If there is also a problem with the tonsils, your child will probably have a tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils) at the same time that the adenoids are removed.

After having the surgery, your child usually goes home the same day. Your child will probably have some throat pain, bad breath, and a runny nose. It can take several days to feel all better.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.