Specific code 2015 ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 478.24
Retropharyngeal abscess
  • 2015
  • Billable Thru Sept 30/2015
  • Non-Billable On/After Oct 1/2015

  • ICD-9-CM 478.24 is a billable medical code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis on a reimbursement claim, however, 478.24 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).
Convert to ICD-10-CM: 478.24 converts approximately to:
  • 2015/16 ICD-10-CM J39.0 Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess
Approximate Synonyms
  • Abscess of retropharyngeal
Clinical Information
  • An accumulation of purulent material in the space between the pharynx and the cervical vertebrae. This usually results from suppuration of retropharyngeal lymph nodes in patients with upper respiratory tract infections, perforation of the pharynx, or head and neck injuries
ICD-9-CM Volume 2 Index entries containing back-references to 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
ICD-9-CM codes are used in medical billing and coding to describe diseases, injuries, symptoms and conditions. ICD-9-CM 478.24 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 2015 ICD-9-CM Index or use the search engine at the top of this page to lookup any code.