2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J38.00

Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unspecified

ICD-10-CM Code:
J38.00
ICD-10 Code for:
Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unspecified
Is Billable?
Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Chronic
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the respiratory system
    (J00–J99)
    • Other diseases of upper respiratory tract
      (J30-J39)
      • Diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified
        (J38)

J38.00 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unspecified. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like J38.00 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Approximate Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

  • Acquired vocal cord palsy
  • Acquired vocal cord paralysis in newborn
  • Bilateral congenital ptosis of upper eyelids
  • Bilateral ptosis of upper eyelids
  • Congenital laryngeal abductor palsy
  • Congenital laryngeal abductor palsy
  • Congenital laryngeal adductor palsy
  • Congenital ptosis of left upper eyelid
  • Congenital ptosis of right upper eyelid
  • Congenital vocal cord palsy
  • Laryngeal abductor paralysis with intellectual disability syndrome
  • Laryngeal paresis
  • Paralysis of glottis
  • Paralysis of larynx
  • Ptosis and vocal cord paralysis syndrome
  • Vagus nerve laryngeal paralysis
  • Vocal cord paralysis

Clinical Classification

Clinical Information

  • Vocal Cord Paralysis

    congenital or acquired paralysis of one or both vocal cords. this condition is caused by defects in the central nervous system, the vagus nerve and branches of laryngeal nerves. common symptoms are voice disorders including hoarseness or aphonia.

Index to Diseases and Injuries References

The following annotation back-references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index. The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10-CM code(s).

Convert J38.00 to ICD-9-CM

  • ICD-9-CM Code: 478.30 - Vocal cord paralysis NOS

Patient Education


Throat Disorders

Your throat is a tube that carries food to your esophagus and air to your windpipe and larynx. The technical name for your throat is the pharynx.

Throat problems are common. You've probably had a sore throat. The cause is usually a viral infection, but other causes include allergies, infection with strep bacteria or the leaking of stomach acids back up into the esophagus, called GERD.

Other problems that affect the throat include:

  • Tonsillitis - inflammation of the tonsils
  • Cancer
  • Croup - inflammation, usually in small children, which causes a barking cough
  • Laryngitis - swelling of the voice box, which can cause a hoarse voice or loss of voice

Most throat problems are minor and go away on their own. Treatments, when needed, depend on the problem.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Voice Disorders

Voice is the sound made by air passing from your lungs through your larynx, or voice box. In your larynx are your vocal cords, two bands of muscle that vibrate to make sound. For most of us, our voices play a big part in who we are, what we do, and how we communicate. Like fingerprints, each person's voice is unique.

Many things we do can injure our vocal cords. Talking too much, screaming, constantly clearing your throat, or smoking can make you hoarse. They can also lead to problems such as nodules, polyps, and sores on the vocal cords. Other causes of voice disorders include infections, upward movement of stomach acids into the throat, growths due to a virus, cancer, and diseases that paralyze the vocal cords.

Signs that your voice isn't healthy include:

  • Your voice has become hoarse or raspy
  • You've lost the ability to hit some high notes when singing
  • Your voice suddenly sounds deeper
  • Your throat often feels raw, achy, or strained
  • It's become an effort to talk

Treatment for voice disorders varies depending on the cause. Most voice problems can be successfully treated when diagnosed early.

NIH: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.