What does ICD-10 code J32 mean?

ICD-10 code J32 is the standardized code used for chronic sinusitis in medical records and coding systems.

When is ICD-10 code J32 used?

Doctors, hospitals, and insurers may use ICD-10 code J32 when recording chronic sinusitis in a standardized format. This entry may also act as a broader category that points toward more specific child codes.

Does ICD-10 code J32 confirm a diagnosis?

No. A code helps standardize documentation and claims, but it should not be read as a substitute for a clinician's full assessment.

ICD10

ICD-10 Code J32: Chronic sinusitis

Name: ICD-10 Code J32: Chronic sinusitis
Creator: HealthAssure Clinical Team
Published: 2026-05-21T06:14:40.064Z

J32 is an ICD-10 diagnosis entry used to group records related to Chronic sinusitis. You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen. ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 21 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99).

When is it used?

May be used when a clinician documents chronic sinusitis in a patient's medical record.
May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
This code may act more like a grouping or parent code, so a more specific child code may be used in final documentation when available.

What it does not mean

A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.
This entry may represent a broader category rather than the most specific billable code.

Code hierarchy

chapter

10Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)

block

J30-J39Other diseases of upper respiratory tract

currentJ30-J39

Official coding notes

Includes

sinus abscess
sinus empyema
sinus infection
sinus suppuration

Applicable to

code to identify:
infectious agent (B95-B97)

Excludes2 (may code together if documented)

acute sinusitis (J01.-)

Use additional code

code to identify:
infectious agent (B95-B97)

Where you may see this code

You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen.

Related specialists

PulmonologistGeneral Physician

Sibling codes

J30Vasomotor and allergic rhinitis J31Chronic rhinitis, nasopharyngitis and pharyngitis J33Nasal polyp J34Other and unspecified disorders of nose and nasal sinuses J35Chronic diseases of tonsils and adenoids J36Peritonsillar abscessbillable J37Chronic laryngitis and laryngotracheitis J38Diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified J39Other diseases of upper respiratory tract

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy code aligns to an official FY 2026 category. Frontend should resolve to the official category page and surface the billable child codes.

Legacy codes

J32

Replacement codes

J32.0 — Chronic maxillary sinusitisJ32.1 — Chronic frontal sinusitisJ32.2 — Chronic ethmoidal sinusitisJ32.3 — Chronic sphenoidal sinusitisJ32.4 — Chronic pansinusitisJ32.8 — Other chronic sinusitisJ32.9 — Chronic sinusitis, unspecified

Common synonyms

Chronic sinusitis

Frequently asked questions

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.