2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J38.4Edema of larynx
ICD-10-CM Codes›J00–J99›J30-J39›J38
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
J38.4 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for edema of larynx. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 154 through 156. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified and unspecified upper respiratory disease.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Angioneurotic edema of larynx
- Edema of glottis
- Edema of larynx
- Edema of larynx following radiotherapy
- Edema of vocal cord
- Polypoid degeneration of vocal cord
- Reinke's edema
- Subglottic edema
- Supraglottic edema
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- Edema (of) glottis
- Subglottic edema
- Supraglottic edema
Type 1 Excludes
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.
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance
References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.
- Edema, edematous(infectious) (pitting) (toxic)
- glottis, glottic, glottidis (obstructive) (passive)
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Patient EducationClinical
Throat Disorders
Your throat is a tube that carries food to your esophagus and air to your windpipe and larynx. The technical name for your throat is the pharynx.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert J38.4 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About J38.4Overview
Is J38.4 (Diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report edema of larynx on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does J38.4 group to?
When edema of larynx is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 154, 155, 156, with relative weights from 0.6911 to 1.5635 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of J38.4?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, edema of larynx converts to ICD-9-CM 478.6 (edema of larynx). The mapping is a direct match.
Footnotes
[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.
