2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J39.0Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess

ICD-10-CM Codes›J00–J99›J30-J39›J39

ICD-10-CM J39.0
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

J39.0 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 152 through 153. Coders also document this condition as mass of parapharyngeal space. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified upper respiratory infections.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
J39.0
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess
Short Description
Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
J39
Other diseases of upper respiratory tract

Code Classification

ChapterJ00–J99Diseases of the respiratory system
SectionJ30-J39Other diseases of upper respiratory tract
CategoryJ39Other diseases of upper respiratory tract
This CodeJ39.0Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Mass of parapharyngeal space
  • Parapharyngeal abscess
  • Retropharyngeal abscess

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Inclusion Terms

  • Peripharyngeal abscess

Type 1 Excludes

  • peritonsillar abscess J36

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.

    • Abscess(connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic)
      • parapharyngeal
    • Abscess(connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic)
      • peripharyngeal
    • Abscess(connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic)
      • postpharyngeal
    • Abscess(connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic)
      • retropharyngeal

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR RSP006
Other specified upper respiratory infections
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Retropharyngeal Abscess

    an accumulation of purulent material in the space between the pharynx and the cervical vertebrae. this usually results from suppuration of retropharyngeal lymph nodes in patients with upper respiratory tract infections, perforation of the pharynx, or head and neck injuries.

  • Retropharyngeal Abscess

    an abscess that develops in the soft tissues behind the posterior pharyngeal wall.

Patient EducationClinical

Abscess

An abscess is a pocket of pus. You can get an abscess almost anywhere in your body. When an area of your body becomes infected, your body's immune system tries to fight the infection. White blood cells go to the infected area, collect within the damaged tissue, and cause inflammation. During this process, pus forms.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert J39.0 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
478.22 Parapharyngeal abscess
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
478.24 Retropharyngeal abscess
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About J39.0Overview

Is J39.0 (Other diseases of upper respiratory tract) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does J39.0 group to?

When retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 152, 153, with relative weights from 0.7382 to 1.1822 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of J39.0?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess converts to ICD-9-CM 478.22 (parapharyngeal abscess) and 478.24 (retropharyngeal abscess). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

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.