Chronic ethmoidal sinusitis

This code signifies a persistent, long-term inflammation of the ethmoid sinuses, characterized by symptoms lasting 12 weeks or longer. It involves chronic mucosal thickening, polyps, or other inflammatory changes within the ethmoid air cells.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates chronic inflammation specifically affecting the ethmoid sinuses, often confirmed by imaging (CT scan) showing persistent ethmoid opacification or mucosal disease. It is appropriate for patients presenting with chronic facial pain, nasal discharge, or congestion localized to the ethmoid region.

• Ensure documentation specifies "chronic" and "ethmoidal" to differentiate from acute or other sinus involvement.
• Do not code with J33.1 (Woakes' ethmoiditis) as per the Excludes1 note; these are mutually exclusive conditions.
• Consider additional codes for associated conditions like nasal polyps (J33.x) if documented separately.