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ICD-10 Code J39.0: Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess

J39.0 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess in medical records and claims. You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records. ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. 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 retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess in a patient's medical record.
  • May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
  • This code can be used as a clinically usable diagnosis entry in standardized coding workflows.

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.

Code hierarchy

chapter
10Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
block
J30-J39Other diseases of upper respiratory tract
category
J39Other diseases of upper respiratory tract
currentJ39

Official coding notes

Inclusion terms
  • Peripharyngeal abscess
Excludes1 (do not code together)
  • peritonsillar abscess (J36)

Where you may see this code

You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records.

Related specialists

PulmonologistGeneral Physician

Coverage-related procedures and services

CPT 96105high
ASSESSMENT OF APHASIA (INCLUDES ASSESSMENT OF EXPRESSIVE AND RECEPTIVE SPEECH AND LANGUAGE FUNCTION, LANGUAGE COMPREHENSION, SPEECH PRODUCTION ABILITY, READING, SPELLING, WRITING, EG, BY BOSTON DIAGNOSTIC APHASIA EXAMINATION) WITH INTERPRETATION AND REPORT, PER HOUR
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 92651high
AUDITORY EVOKED POTENTIALS; FOR HEARING STATUS DETERMINATION, BROADBAND STIMULI, WITH INTERPRETATION AND REPORT
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 92652high
AUDITORY EVOKED POTENTIALS; FOR THRESHOLD ESTIMATION AT MULTIPLE FREQUENCIES, WITH INTERPRETATION AND REPORT
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 92653high
AUDITORY EVOKED POTENTIALS; NEURODIAGNOSTIC, WITH INTERPRETATION AND REPORT
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 92650high
AUDITORY EVOKED POTENTIALS; SCREENING OF AUDITORY POTENTIAL WITH BROADBAND STIMULI, AUTOMATED ANALYSIS
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 92633high
AUDITORY REHABILITATION; POSTLINGUAL HEARING LOSS
Source: CMS coverage guidance

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy and official ICD code match exactly.
Legacy codes
J39.0

Common synonyms

Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeJ39.0
SystemICD10
Display nameRetropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess
ChapterDiseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
BlockOther diseases of upper respiratory tract

Flags

BillableYes
Valid clinical useYes

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

Index terms

Matched terms
Abscess(connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic)Abscess(connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic)Abscess(connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic)Abscess(connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic)

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.

ICD-10 Code J39.0 for Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess | HealthAssure