K68.12
BillablePsoas muscle abscess
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 78 — Intestinal Obstruction/Perforation
0.000V24HCC 33 — Intestinal Obstruction/Perforation
0.226ESRDHCC 33 — Intestinal Obstruction/Perforation
0.000What This Code Means
A collection of pus within the psoas muscle, which is a deep abdominal muscle located in the retroperitoneal space.
Coding Tips
- •Document whether this is primary (spontaneous) or secondary to another condition like spinal infection
- •May require imaging confirmation and is often associated with spinal tuberculosis or other infections
Clinical Significance
Psoas muscle abscess represents a serious deep retroperitoneal infection that can be life-threatening if untreated. This condition often indicates systemic infection or immunocompromise and requires aggressive antibiotic therapy and often surgical drainage.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Imaging confirmation of psoas muscle abscess
- ✓Documentation of abscess location in psoas muscle
- ✓Clinical signs and symptoms of deep infection
- ✓Laboratory evidence of infection/inflammation
- ✓Treatment plan including antibiotics and/or drainage
- ✓Assessment of underlying risk factors
- ✓Exclusion of other retroperitoneal pathology
- ✓Response to treatment documentation
Commonly Confused Codes
K68.19 — Other retroperitoneal abscess in different anatomic locationM60.009 — Infective myositis requires muscle inflammation documentationL02.91 — Cutaneous abscess is superficial, not deep muscleK65.1 — Peritoneal abscess involves peritoneal cavityM79.89 — Other soft tissue disorders without infectious component
Code Hierarchy
└K68Disorders of retroperitoneum└K68.1Retroperitoneal abscess└K68.12Psoas muscle abscess
└K68.12Psoas muscle abscess