J39.0
BillableRetropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess
J39.0 is the ICD-10-CM code for Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess. It is a billable, specific code valid for reimbursement.
J00-J99 Diseases of the respiratory system
What this means — in plain language
MedlinePlus · NIHAn abscess is a pocket of pus. You can get an abscess almost anywhere in your body. When an area of your body becomes infected, your body's immune system tries to fight the infection. White blood cells go to the infected area, collect within the damaged tissue, and cause inflammation. During this process, pus forms. Pus is a mixture of living and dead white blood cells, germs, and dead tissue. Bacteria, viruses,…
Read more about Abscess at MedlinePlus ↗Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Informational only — not medical advice.
Includes
- •Peripharyngeal abscess
Excludes1 — not coded here
- •peritonsillar abscess (J36)
Frequently asked questions
- What is ICD-10 code J39.0?
- J39.0 is the ICD-10-CM code for "Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess". It falls under J00-J99 Diseases of the respiratory system.
- Is J39.0 a billable code?
- Yes — J39.0 is a billable, specific ICD-10-CM code valid for reimbursement.
- What is excluded from J39.0?
- Excludes1 (not coded here): peritonsillar abscess (J36).
Source: CMS ICD-10-CM FY2026. For informational purposes only — not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer.
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