ICD-10 Code H61.01 – Acute Perichondritis of External Ear (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H61.01 – Acute perichondritis of external ear
What it is
H61.01 identifies acute inflammation of the ear cartilage and surrounding tissue on the external ear. It is used when the condition is documented as acute perichondritis, not a more general outer ear infection.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include a painful, swollen, red external ear, often with tenderness over the cartilage. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation if the note does not clearly describe cartilage involvement.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents acute perichondritis of the external ear, including cases described as perichondritis of the pinna or auricle. Code it when the record supports inflammation centered on ear cartilage rather than the ear canal. If laterality is documented, check the full ICD-10-CM tabular list for the most specific option.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for otitis externa, cellulitis of the ear, or nonspecific ear pain unless perichondritis is documented. Check documentation if the note only says “ear infection” without cartilage involvement.
Coding tip
Look for explicit wording such as “perichondritis,” “auricular cartilage,” or “pinna” before assigning H61.01.