K51.514
BillableLeft sided colitis with abscess
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 81 — Ulcerative Colitis
0.000V24HCC 35 — Inflammatory Bowel Disease
0.289ESRDHCC 35 — Inflammatory Bowel Disease
0.000RxHCCHCC 67 — Inflammatory Bowel Disease
0.000What This Code Means
Inflammation of the left side of the colon with a localized collection of pus (abscess) in the surrounding tissues.
Coding Tips
- •Ensure documentation clearly indicates both left-sided colitis and abscess presence
- •Note the location of abscess if documented, as this may influence clinical management and coding specificity
Clinical Significance
Left-sided ulcerative colitis with abscess indicates a localized collection of pus complicating left colonic inflammation. This serious infectious complication requires targeted antibiotic therapy and often percutaneous or surgical drainage, significantly increasing the complexity of care and healthcare costs.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Confirmed left-sided ulcerative colitis diagnosis
- ✓Imaging demonstrating abscess (CT abdomen/pelvis or MRI)
- ✓Documentation of abscess location and size
- ✓Provider statement linking the abscess to the colitis
- ✓Treatment plan including antibiotics and drainage if indicated
- ✓Culture results if drainage was performed
Commonly Confused Codes
K51.514 vs K63.0 — K63.0 is abscess of intestine unrelated to inflammatory bowel diseaseK51.514 vs K61.x — K61 codes are for anorectal abscess not caused by inflammatory bowel diseaseK51.514 vs K51.014 — K51.014 is pancolitis with abscess (more extensive disease)K51.514 vs K51.513 — K51.513 is left-sided colitis with fistula, a different complication
Code Hierarchy
└K51Ulcerative colitis└K51.5Left sided colitis└K51.51Left sided colitis with complications└K51.514Left sided colitis with abscess
└K51.514Left sided colitis with abscess