Specific code 2009 ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 511.9
Unspecified pleural effusion
  • Short description: PLEURAL EFFUSION NOS.
  • ICD-9-CM 511.9 is a billable medical code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis on a reimbursement claim, however, 511.9 should only be used for claims with a date of service on or before September 30, 2015. For claims with a date of service on or after October 1, 2015, use an equivalent ICD-10-CM code (or codes).
  • You are viewing the 2009 version of ICD-9-CM 511.9.
  • More recent version(s) of ICD-9-CM 511.9: 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015.
Convert to ICD-10-CM: 511.9 converts approximately to:
  • 2015/16 ICD-10-CM J91.8 Pleural effusion in other conditions classified elsewhere
Approximate Synonyms
  • Bilat pleural effusion
  • Bilateral pleural effusion
  • Chylothorax
  • Chylous effusion
  • Exudative pleural effusion
  • Loculated pleural effusion
  • Pleural effusion
  • Pleural effusion (fluid around lung)
  • Secondary pleural effusion
Applies To
  • Pleural effusion NOS
  • Pleurisy:
    • exudative
    • serofibrinous
    • serous
    • with effusion NOS
ICD-9-CM Volume 2 Index entries containing back-references to 511.9:
  • Dropsy, dropsical (see also Edema) 782.3
    • chest 511.9
  • Effusion
    • pleura, pleurisy, pleuritic, pleuropericardial 511.9
      • bacterial, nontuberculous 511.1
      • fetus or newborn 511.9
      • malignant 511.81
      • nontuberculous 511.9
      • pneumococcal 511.1
      • staphylococcal 511.1
      • streptococcal 511.1
      • traumatic 862.29
      • tuberculous (see also Tuberculosis, pleura) 012.0
        • primary progressive 010.1
  • Fluid
    • chest (see also Pleurisy, with effusion) 511.9
    • pleural cavity (see also Pleurisy, with effusion) 511.9
  • Pleurisy (acute) (adhesive) (chronic) (costal) (diaphragmatic) (double) (dry) (fetid) (fibrinous) (fibrous) (interlobar) (latent) (lung) (old) (plastic) (primary) (residual) (sicca) (sterile) (subacute) (unresolved) (with adherent pleura) 511.0
    • with
      • effusion (without mention of cause) 511.9
        • bacterial, nontuberculous 511.1
        • nontuberculous NEC 511.9
        • pneumococcal 511.1
        • specified type NEC 511.89
        • staphylococcal 511.1
        • streptococcal 511.1
        • tuberculous (see also Tuberculosis, pleura) 012.0
          • primary, progressive 010.1
      • influenza, flu, or grippe 487.1
      • tuberculosis - see Pleurisy, tuberculous
    • exudative (see also Pleurisy, with effusion) 511.9
      • bacterial, nontuberculous 511.1
    • serofibrinous (see also Pleurisy, with effusion) 511.9
      • bacterial, nontuberculous 511.1
    • serous (see also Pleurisy, with effusion) 511.9
      • bacterial, nontuberculous 511.1
ICD-9-CM codes are used in medical billing and coding to describe diseases, injuries, symptoms and conditions. ICD-9-CM 511.9 is one of thousands of ICD-9-CM codes used in healthcare. Although ICD-9-CM and CPT codes are largely numeric, they differ in that CPT codes describe medical procedures and services. Can't find a code? Start at the root of ICD-9-CM, check the 2009 ICD-9-CM Index or use the search engine at the top of this page to lookup any code.