ICD-10 Code H61.013 – Acute perichondritis of external ear, bilateral (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H61.013 – Acute perichondritis of external ear, bilateral
What it is
Use this code for an acute inflammation of the cartilage covering both external ears. It indicates perichondritis affecting the pinna on both sides, not the ear canal or middle ear.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include painful, swollen, red, and tender outer ears, often with sparing of the earlobe. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation if laterality or acuity is unclear.
When to use this code
Assign H61.013 when the provider documents acute perichondritis of the external ear and specifies bilateral involvement. Use it for encounter notes describing infection or inflammation limited to the auricular cartilage. If laterality is not stated, check documentation before coding.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for otitis externa, cellulitis of the ear, or nonspecific ear pain without documented perichondritis. If the record does not confirm bilateral acute perichondritis, check documentation.
Coding tip
Verify both acuity and laterality in the provider note before assigning H61.013.