AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS - 2026 Issue 2; Ask the Editor
Pelvic Abscess in a Female Patient
A patient was admitted when she became septic and was noted to have acute diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon with perforation and a pelvic/intra-abdominal abscess. The patient underwent catheter placement for drainage. When referencing the ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index for “Abscess, intra-abdominal,” there are instructions to “see also Abscess, peritoneum.” The entry for “Abscess, peritoneum, pelvic, female,” has instructions to see “Peritonitis, pelvic, female” which references code N73.3, Female acute pelvic peritonitis, which does not seem appropriate. What is the correct diagnosis code for an abscess that is described as pelvic/intra-abdominal in a female patient when there is no documentation of peritonitis and is not related to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)? ...
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Article Overview
This article explains a diagnosis-coding question involving a female patient with a pelvic or intra-abdominal abscess in the setting of diverticulitis and perforation. It is aimed at coders, CDI professionals, and clinicians who need to understand how the ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index, related cross-references, and documentation context affect code selection for abdominal and pelvic abscess reporting.
Why This Topic Matters
Correct diagnosis coding depends on matching the documented condition to the most appropriate ICD-10-CM category, especially when index entries and cross-references appear to lead away from the documented clinical picture. This topic matters for accurate coding, claim integrity, and consistent interpretation of abscess terminology in female patients.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames an ICD-10-CM indexing question for a pelvic or intra-abdominal abscess
- How documentation context influences diagnosis coding for abscess conditions
- Why related index pathways and cross-references are relevant in this scenario
- How the article distinguishes this abscess question from peritonitis-related and PID-related coding considerations
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding educators
- CDI specialists
- Billing staff
- Clinical documentation professionals
- Health information management professionals
Codes Discussed
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