Otorrhea, left ear

This code signifies the presence of discharge or drainage from the left ear. This discharge can vary in consistency, color, and odor, and often indicates an underlying inflammatory or infectious process within the external auditory canal, middle ear, or mastoid.

Use this code when the patient's medical record explicitly documents otorrhea originating from the left ear. Supporting documentation would include physician notes detailing the laterality of the ear discharge, often observed during an otoscopic examination.

• Always confirm laterality; do not use this code if the discharge is from the right ear or is bilateral.
• This code describes a symptom; always code the underlying cause of the otorrhea (e.g., otitis media, mastoiditis) as a primary diagnosis when known.
• Distinguish from codes for ear pain (otalgia) or hearing loss, which are separate symptoms and coded differently.