Acute pyelonephritis (N10)
The ICD-10 code N10 is specifically used for diagnosing and coding cases of acute pyelonephritis, a sudden and severe kidney infection. This code captures various types of acute kidney inflammations that primarily affect the renal pelvis and interstitial tissue.
Known by several names such as acute tubulo-interstitial nephritis, focal pyelonephritis, or acute bacterial tubulointerstitial nephritis, the condition includes infections caused by bacteria or fungi and may also be associated with systemic infections. The term acute pyelitis and emphysematous pyelonephritis are among the synonyms often related to N10, helping medical coders recognize the full spectrum of acute kidney infections covered by this code. Because this ICD-10 code covers not only simple kidney infections but also variants with or without renal medullary necrosis and infections linked to other disorders, it is essential for accurate clinical documentation and reporting of urinary tract infections involving the kidneys.
Instructional Notations
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.
- Acute infectious interstitial nephritis
- Acute pyelitis
- Acute tubulo-interstitial nephritis
- Hemoglobin nephrosis
- Myoglobin nephrosis
Use Additional Code
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
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.
Emphysematous Pyelonephritis
Acute often necrotizing pyelonephritis characterized by accumulation of gas within and around renal parenchyma. Emphysematous pyelonephritis is typically associated with bacterial infection in DIABETES MELLITUS and IMMUNOCOMPROMISED PATIENT.
Pyelitis
Inflammation of the KIDNEY PELVIS and KIDNEY CALICES where urine is collected before discharge, but does not involve the renal parenchyma (the NEPHRONS) where urine is processed.
