K55.041

Billable

Focal (segmental) acute infarction of large intestine

HCC Category Mapping

V24HCC 107 — Vascular Disease with Complications

0.450

ESRDHCC 107 — Vascular Disease with Complications

0.000

What This Code Means

Death of tissue in a specific segment of the large intestine due to blocked blood flow.

Coding Tips

•This code indicates tissue death (infarction) in a limited area of the colon; ensure documentation specifies focal or segmental involvement.
•Distinguish from K55.042 (diffuse) by confirming the infarction is localized to one area rather than widespread.

Clinical Significance

Focal acute infarction of large intestine represents established colonic tissue death requiring emergency surgical evaluation and intensive care management. This condition indicates severe vascular disease with localized bowel necrosis carrying significant morbidity and mortality risk.

Documentation Requirements

✓Acute severe abdominal pain documented
✓Imaging confirmation of segmental colonic infarction
✓Documentation of focal/segmental involvement
✓Evidence of established tissue necrosis
✓Surgical findings and interventions if performed
✓Underlying vascular pathology identified
✓Emergency treatment outcomes documented

Commonly Confused Codes

K55.031 — Focal ischemia when tissue is still viable K55.042 — Diffuse infarction when multiple segments involved K55.049 — Unspecified extent when focal pattern documented K51.919 — Ulcerative colitis with complications but no infarction

Code Hierarchy

└K55Vascular disorders of intestine └K55.0Acute vascular disorders of intestine └K55.04Acute infarction of large intestine └K55.041Focal (segmental) acute infarction of large intestine

└K55.041Focal (segmental) acute infarction of large intestine