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  3. J00–J99
  4. J00-J06
  5. Acute sinusitis (J01)

Acute sinusitis (J01)

ICD-10 code section J01 covers acute sinusitis, a condition involving short-term inflammation or infection of the sinus cavities. These codes specify the exact sinus affected; maxillary, frontal, ethmoidal, sphenoidal, or pansinusitis; and whether the condition is a first occurrence or recurrent.

This set of codes is used to accurately classify diagnoses related to acute sinusitis and its types, helping healthcare providers document and treat inflammation in specific sinuses. For example, J01.00 identifies acute maxillary sinusitis when the sinus involved is unspecified, linked to terms like "acute empyema of maxillary sinus" or "abscess of nasal sinus." Recurrent episodes in the maxillary sinus are coded as J01.01, also noted as "recurrent acute maxillary sinusitis." Similar detailed codes exist for frontal sinusitis (J01.10, J01.11), ethmoidal sinusitis (J01.20, J01.21), and sphenoidal sinusitis (J01.30, J01.31), each distinguishing between initial or recurrent conditions. Acute pansinusitis, involving all sinuses, falls under J01.40 and J01.41. The section also includes unspecified and other acute sinusitis codes (J01.8, J01.9), useful when exact locations or details are not clarified. These detailed codes help ensure precise medical coding based on the sinus affected and the nature of the acute or recurrent infection.

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 abscess of sinus
  • acute empyema of sinus
  • acute infection of sinus
  • acute inflammation of sinus
  • acute suppuration of sinus

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.

Type 1 Excludes

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.

Type 2 Excludes

A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.

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.

Allergic Fungal Sinusitis

Fungal infection in the PARANASAL SINUSES characterized by common allergy respiratory symptoms, recurrent NASAL POLYPS and/or ASTHMA with buildup of allergic MUCIN.

Frontal Sinusitis

Inflammation of the NASAL MUCOSA in the FRONTAL SINUS. In many cases, it is caused by an infection of the bacteria STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE or HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE.

Maxillary Sinusitis

Inflammation of the NASAL MUCOSA in the MAXILLARY SINUS. In many cases, it is caused by an infection of the bacteria HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE; STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE; or STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS.

Rhinosinusitis

Obstruction of sinus drainage into the NASAL CAVITY and inflammation of the NASAL MUCOSA in the PARANASAL SINUSES.