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  5. Vascular disorders of intestine (K55)

Vascular disorders of intestine (K55)

The ICD-10 code K55 represents vascular disorders of the intestine, covering a range of conditions that affect blood flow to the intestines. These codes specify acute and chronic ischemia, infarction, and vascular insufficiency in parts of the small and large intestine.

The codes under K55 are used to identify disorders such as acute (reversible) ischemia and infarction of the small or large intestine, including segmental or diffuse involvement. For example, K55.019 includes terms like "acute thrombosis of mesenteric vein" and "acute visceral ischemia," helping coders map these synonyms accurately to ischemia of the small intestine. Chronic conditions like K55.1 cover vascular insufficiency due to atherosclerosis or mesenteric artery stenosis, often referred to as "chronic ischemic colitis." Additional codes cover angiodysplasia of the colon, with or without hemorrhage (K55.20 and K55.21), necrotizing enterocolitis in various stages (K55.3*), and other unspecified vascular disorders (K55.8 and K55.9), including ischemic colitis and telangiectasia. These detailed subcodes assist healthcare providers and coders in pinpointing the exact vascular disorder affecting the intestinal tract.

  • Diseases of the digestive system (K00–K95)

    • Other diseases of intestines (K55-K64)

        • Vascular disorders of intestine (K55)

        • K55 Vascular disorders of intestine
        • K55.0 Acute vascular disorders of intestine
        • K55.01 Acute (reversible) ischemia of small intestine
        • K55.011 Focal (segmental) acute (reversible) ischemia of small intestine
        • K55.012 Diffuse acute (reversible) ischemia of small intestine
        • K55.019 Acute (reversible) ischemia of small intestine, extent unspecified
        • K55.02 Acute infarction of small intestine
        • K55.021 Focal (segmental) acute infarction of small intestine
        • K55.022 Diffuse acute infarction of small intestine
        • K55.029 Acute infarction of small intestine, extent unspecified
        • K55.03 Acute (reversible) ischemia of large intestine
        • K55.031 Focal (segmental) acute (reversible) ischemia of large intestine
        • K55.032 Diffuse acute (reversible) ischemia of large intestine
        • K55.039 Acute (reversible) ischemia of large intestine, extent unspecified
        • K55.04 Acute infarction of large intestine
        • K55.041 Focal (segmental) acute infarction of large intestine
        • K55.042 Diffuse acute infarction of large intestine
        • K55.049 Acute infarction of large intestine, extent unspecified
        • K55.05 Acute (reversible) ischemia of intestine, part unspecified
        • K55.051 Focal (segmental) acute (reversible) ischemia of intestine, part unspecified
        • K55.052 Diffuse acute (reversible) ischemia of intestine, part unspecified
        • K55.059 Acute (reversible) ischemia of intestine, part and extent unspecified
        • K55.06 Acute infarction of intestine, part unspecified
        • K55.061 Focal (segmental) acute infarction of intestine, part unspecified
        • K55.062 Diffuse acute infarction of intestine, part unspecified
        • K55.069 Acute infarction of intestine, part and extent unspecified
        • K55.1 Chronic vascular disorders of intestine
        • K55.2 Angiodysplasia of colon
        • K55.20 Angiodysplasia of colon without hemorrhage
        • K55.21 Angiodysplasia of colon with hemorrhage
        • K55.3 Necrotizing enterocolitis
        • K55.30 Necrotizing enterocolitis, unspecified
        • K55.31 Stage 1 necrotizing enterocolitis
        • K55.32 Stage 2 necrotizing enterocolitis
        • K55.33 Stage 3 necrotizing enterocolitis
        • K55.8 Other vascular disorders of intestine
        • K55.9 Vascular disorder of intestine, unspecified

Instructional Notations

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.

  • necrotizing enterocolitis of newborn P77

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.

  • angioectasia angiodysplasia duodenum K31.81

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.

Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome

DUODENAL OBSTRUCTION by the superior mesenteric artery (MESENTERIC ARTERY, SUPERIOR) which travels in the root of the MESENTERY and crosses over the DUODENUM. The syndrome is characterized by the dilated proximal duodenum and STOMACH, bloating, ABDOMINAL CRAMPS, and VOMITING. Often it is observed in patient with body casts after spinal surgery.