Acute lymphadenitis of face, head and neck

This code represents an acute inflammatory condition affecting the lymph nodes located in the facial, cranial, or cervical regions. It indicates a sudden onset of swollen, tender lymph nodes in these areas, typically due to an infection.

Use this code when documentation specifies an acute inflammation of lymph nodes localized to the head, face, or neck. This is often seen in conjunction with bacterial or viral infections affecting the upper respiratory tract, skin, or oral cavity. Documentation should clearly state "acute lymphadenitis" and specify the anatomical region.

• Differentiate from chronic lymphadenitis (I88.1) or unspecified lymphadenitis (I88.9).
• Always code the underlying infection (e.g., streptococcal pharyngitis, cellulitis) first, if known.
• Ensure the documentation explicitly limits the lymphadenitis to the head, face, or neck to avoid using a more general code.