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  3. K00–K95
  4. K20-K31
  5. Disorders of esophagus in diseases classified elsewhere (K23)

Disorders of esophagus in diseases classified elsewhere (K23)

The ICD-10 code K23 is used to classify disorders of the esophagus that occur as a complication of other diseases. This code specifically addresses conditions where the esophagus is affected due to abnormalities or compressions caused by other medical problems, not primary esophageal diseases.

K23 covers esophageal conditions such as compression by an aberrant artery, including vascular compression by an aberrant right subclavian artery arising from the descending aorta. Known terms like "compression of esophagus," "vascular compression of esophagus," and "ectopic artery" fall under this category. These synonyms help medical coders identify that when patients have esophageal symptoms caused by unusual blood vessel positions or other external factors classified elsewhere, K23 is the appropriate ICD-10 code to use. Understanding this linkage ensures accurate coding for complex cases where esophageal disorders are secondary to vascular or other systemic diseases.

Instructional Notations

Code First

Certain conditions have both an underlying etiology and multiple body system manifestations due to the underlying etiology. For such conditions, the ICD-10-CM has a coding convention that requires the underlying condition be sequenced first followed by the manifestation. Wherever such a combination exists, there is a "use additional code" note at the etiology code, and a "code first" note at the manifestation code. These instructional notes indicate the proper sequencing order of the codes, etiology followed by manifestation.

  • underlying disease, such as:
  • congenital syphilis A50.5

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.