Small, hard deposits called gallstones, or cholelithiasis, develop in the gallbladder. They can cause pain, digestive issues, and even infections. Doctors use a special coding system called ICD-10 to classify different diseases, including gallstones. This helps in diagnosis, treatment, and insurance claims.
ICD-10 Code for Gallstones (Cholelithiasis)
The main ICD-10 code for gallstones is K80. However, there are different codes depending on whether the gallstones cause problems like infection or blockage.
Types of Gallstone Codes in ICD-10
| ICD-10 Code | What It Means |
| K80.0 | Gallstones with sudden gallbladder infection (acute cholecystitis) |
| K80.00 | Gallstones with infection but no blockage |
| K80.01 | Gallstones with infection and blockage |
| K80.2 | Gallstones without infection |
| K80.20 | Gallstones without infection or blockage |
| K80.21 | Gallstones without infection but with blockage |
| K80.3 | Gallstones in the bile duct with a severe infection (acute cholangitis) |
| K80.30 | Gallstones in the bile duct with infection but no blockage |
| K80.31 | Gallstones in the bile duct with infection and blockage |
| K80.4 | Gallstones in the bile duct with gallbladder infection |
| K80.40 | Gallstones in the bile duct with infection but no blockage |
| K80.41 | Gallstones in the bile duct with infection and blockage |
| K80.5 | Gallstones in the bile duct without infection |
| K80.50 | Gallstones in the bile duct without infection or blockage |
| K80.51 | Gallstones in the bile duct with blockage but no infection |
| K80.8 | Other types of gallstones |
| K80.80 | Other types of gallstones without blockage |
| K80.81 | Other types of gallstones with blockage |
Symptoms of Gallstones
Some people have gallstones but don’t feel any symptoms. Others may experience:
- Discomfort in the upper right abdomen
- Feeling sick or vomiting
- Yellow skin (jaundice) if the bile duct is blocked
- Fever if there is an infection
- Doctors use ultrasound, CT scans, or MRIs to find gallstones.
How Are Gallstones Treated?
The treatment depends on how bad the symptoms are:
- No symptoms? You may not need treatment.
- Mild symptoms? Medicines and diet changes may help.
- Serious problems? You may need surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy).
- Blockage or infection? Immediate medical help is needed.
Conclusion
Gallstones are common and can be painful if they cause infections or blockages. The ICD-10 codes help doctors identify and treat the problem properly. If you have gallstone symptoms, see a doctor for the right diagnosis and treatment.
