ICD-10 Code K51.514 – Left sided colitis with abscess (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K51.514 – Left sided colitis with abscess
What it is
K51.514 identifies left-sided colitis, a form of ulcerative colitis affecting the descending colon and sigmoid colon, when an abscess is documented. Use it when the record clearly links the colitis to an abscess.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Typical findings may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and endoscopic or imaging evidence of left-sided colonic inflammation with abscess formation.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents left-sided colitis and also documents an abscess related to the condition. It is appropriate for confirmed ulcerative colitis limited to the left side with abscess noted in the chart.
If the note says only colitis, only ulcerative colitis, or only abscess without clear anatomic location, check documentation before coding. Make sure the record supports both the site and the complication.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for nonspecific colitis, Crohn disease, or ulcerative colitis without abscess. Check documentation if the abscess is elsewhere or if the left-sided extent is not stated.
Coding tip
Code the condition only when both the left-sided location and abscess are explicitly documented in the same clinical context.