ICD-10 Code H68.023 – Chronic Eustachian salpingitis, bilateral (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H68.023 – Chronic Eustachian salpingitis, bilateral
What it is
H68.023 identifies chronic inflammation of both Eustachian tubes. Use it when documentation shows a persistent bilateral tubal disorder, often linked to impaired middle-ear ventilation.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly recorded findings include ear fullness, pressure, popping, muffled hearing, or recurrent middle-ear dysfunction affecting both sides.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents chronic Eustachian salpingitis and specifies that both Eustachian tubes are involved. It may appear in outpatient, ENT, or follow-up records describing a long-standing bilateral condition. If laterality is not stated, check documentation before coding.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for acute Eustachian tube inflammation or for isolated unilateral disease. Also avoid it when the record only mentions ear pain, congestion, or middle-ear symptoms without a documented chronic bilateral diagnosis.
Coding tip
Confirm both chronicity and bilateral laterality in the provider note before assigning H68.023.