2008 ICD-9-CM Volume 1 Diagnosis Codes Home > Diseases Of The Respiratory System 460-519 > Other Diseases Of Upper Respiratory Tract 470-478 > Other Diseases Of Upper Respiratory Tract 478.* > 2008 ICD-9-CM Diagnosis 478.24 Retropharyngeal abscess  On October 1, 2008 the 2009 ICD-9-CM codes came into effect. Therefore, this code may be out of date. The 2009 version of ICD-9-CM 478.24 can be accessed here. A soft tissue infection of the throat with entry usually by the pharynx but sometimes as an extension of a lateral neck infection resulting from a neck injury. The major risk is upper airway obstruction caused by pharyngeal swelling. (Daniel R. Masys, from a written communication) 478.24 is a specific code that can be used to specify a diagnosis 478.24 contains 3 index entries View the ICD-9-CM Volume 1 478.* hierarchy ICD9Data's sister site ProcedureCodes.com launches with the 2008/09 CPT® codes - read more on the ICD9Data.com blog. Index entries containing 478.24: Abscess (acute) (chronic) (infectional) (lymphangitic) (metastatic) (multiple) (pyogenic) (septic) (with lymphangitis) (see also Cellulitis) 682.9 postpharyngeal 478.24 retropharyngeal 478.24 tuberculous (see also Tuberculosis) 012.8 Gangrene, gangrenous (anemia) (artery) (cellulitis) (dermatitis) (dry) (infective) (moist) (pemphigus) (septic) (skin) (stasis) (ulcer) 785.4 retropharyngeal 478.24