Chronic sinusitis, unspecified

This code represents a persistent inflammation of the paranasal sinuses that has not been specified as to the particular sinus or its etiology. It indicates a long-standing inflammatory process within the sinus cavities, lasting typically 12 weeks or more, without further detail regarding the specific sinus involved.

Use this code when the medical record documents chronic sinusitis but does not specify the affected sinus (e.g., frontal, maxillary, ethmoid, sphenoid). This is appropriate when the provider's diagnosis is simply "chronic sinusitis" without further anatomical or etiological clarification.

• Avoid using this code if the medical record specifies the affected sinus; instead, code to the more specific J32.0-J32.8.
• Ensure documentation clearly states "chronic" to differentiate from acute sinusitis (J01.-).
• This code should be used as a last resort when no further specificity can be gleaned from the medical record query.