Priapism

This code represents a prolonged, painful erection of the penis that is not associated with sexual arousal and does not subside. It is a urological emergency that can lead to permanent erectile dysfunction if not treated promptly.

Use this code for documented cases of priapism, regardless of the underlying cause (e.g., sickle cell disease, trauma, medication side effect). Documentation should clearly indicate a persistent, often painful, erection.

• Always look for documentation of the underlying cause of priapism, as this may require additional coding.
• Distinguish from normal erections or prolonged erections associated with sexual activity, which would not be coded as priapism.
• Consider sequencing this code as a principal diagnosis if it is the primary reason for the encounter and treatment.