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  3. K00–K95
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  5. Acute pancreatitis (K85)

Acute pancreatitis (K85)

ICD-10 code K85 covers acute pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas that can arise from various causes such as idiopathic origins, gallstones, alcohol use, or drugs. This code section helps healthcare providers specify the type and severity, including whether the pancreatitis involves necrosis (tissue death) or infection.

Each subcode offers a precise classification: for example, K85.00 refers to idiopathic acute pancreatitis without necrosis or infection, which includes conditions sometimes called familial or hereditary pancreatitis. K85.10 identifies biliary acute pancreatitis, commonly known as gallstone pancreatitis. Alcohol-induced pancreatitis is coded under K85.20, covering inflammation caused by alcohol consumption. Drug-induced cases are described under K85.30. Other less common causes are included under K85.80 with synonyms like autoimmune or ischemic pancreatitis. Unspecified acute pancreatitis falls into the K85.9 range, useful when detailed cause or necrosis status isn’t confirmed. This detailed coding aids accurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and documentation of acute pancreatitis in medical records.

  • Diseases of the digestive system (K00–K95)

    • Disorders of gallbladder, biliary tract and pancreas (K80-K87)

        • Acute pancreatitis (K85)

        • K85 Acute pancreatitis
        • K85.0 Idiopathic acute pancreatitis
        • K85.00 Idiopathic acute pancreatitis without necrosis or infection
        • K85.01 Idiopathic acute pancreatitis with uninfected necrosis
        • K85.02 Idiopathic acute pancreatitis with infected necrosis
        • K85.1 Biliary acute pancreatitis
        • K85.10 Biliary acute pancreatitis without necrosis or infection
        • K85.11 Biliary acute pancreatitis with uninfected necrosis
        • K85.12 Biliary acute pancreatitis with infected necrosis
        • K85.2 Alcohol induced acute pancreatitis
        • K85.20 Alcohol induced acute pancreatitis without necrosis or infection
        • K85.21 Alcohol induced acute pancreatitis with uninfected necrosis
        • K85.22 Alcohol induced acute pancreatitis with infected necrosis
        • K85.3 Drug induced acute pancreatitis
        • K85.30 Drug induced acute pancreatitis without necrosis or infection
        • K85.31 Drug induced acute pancreatitis with uninfected necrosis
        • K85.32 Drug induced acute pancreatitis with infected necrosis
        • K85.8 Other acute pancreatitis
        • K85.80 Other acute pancreatitis without necrosis or infection
        • K85.81 Other acute pancreatitis with uninfected necrosis
        • K85.82 Other acute pancreatitis with infected necrosis
        • K85.9 Acute pancreatitis, unspecified
        • K85.90 Acute pancreatitis without necrosis or infection, unspecified
        • K85.91 Acute pancreatitis with uninfected necrosis, unspecified
        • K85.92 Acute pancreatitis with infected necrosis, unspecified

Instructional Notations

Includes

This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.

  • acute (recurrent) pancreatitis
  • subacute pancreatitis

Clinical Terms

The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.

Autoimmune Pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis associated with autoimmune diseases.

Pancreas Transplantation

The transference of a pancreas from one human or animal to another.

Pancreatitis

INFLAMMATION of the PANCREAS. Pancreatitis is classified as acute unless there are computed tomographic or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographic findings of CHRONIC PANCREATITIS (International Symposium on Acute Pancreatitis, Atlanta, 1992). The two most common forms of acute pancreatitis are ALCOHOLIC PANCREATITIS and gallstone pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis, Acute Hemorrhagic

An acute INFLAMMATION of the PANCREAS in which the initial edematous pancreatitis evolved into necrosis accompanied by HEMORRHAGE.

Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing

A severe form of acute INFLAMMATION of the PANCREAS characterized by one or more areas of NECROSIS in the pancreas with varying degree of involvement of the surrounding tissues or organ systems. Massive pancreatic necrosis may lead to DIABETES MELLITUS, and malabsorption.

Pancreatitis, Alcoholic

Acute or chronic INFLAMMATION of the PANCREAS due to excessive ALCOHOL DRINKING. Alcoholic pancreatitis usually presents as an acute episode but it is a chronic progressive disease in alcoholics.

Pancreatitis, Chronic

INFLAMMATION of the PANCREAS that is characterized by recurring or persistent ABDOMINAL PAIN with or without STEATORRHEA or DIABETES MELLITUS. It is characterized by the irregular destruction of the pancreatic parenchyma which may be focal, segmental, or diffuse.

Pancreatitis, Graft

An inflammatory disease and serious complication of PANCREAS TRANSPLANTATION. It is caused by a premature activation of pancreatic proenzymes leading to autodigestion of the gland and can be attributed to immunological or nonimmunological causes.

Pancreatitis-Associated Proteins

C-type lectins that restrict growth of bacteria in the intestinal epithelia and have bactericidal activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. They also regulate proliferation and differentiation of KERATINOCYTES following injury. Human pancreatitis-associated protein-1 (Reg3a) is overexpressed by pancreatic ACINAR CELLS in patients with CHRONIC PANCREATITIS. It is also highly expressed by pancreatic, bladder, and gastrointestinal cancer cells and may serve as a diagnostic biomarker.