Acute duodenal ulcer without hemorrhage or perforation

This code signifies an acute ulceration located in the duodenum, characterized by a break in the mucosal lining. Importantly, there is no evidence of active bleeding (hemorrhage) or a complete penetration of the duodenal wall (perforation) associated with this ulcer.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a newly diagnosed duodenal ulcer without any mention of bleeding or perforation. This is appropriate for patients presenting with symptoms like epigastric pain, nausea, or vomiting, where endoscopy confirms an acute duodenal ulcer and specifically rules out hemorrhage or perforation.

• Ensure the documentation explicitly states "acute" and "duodenal" to differentiate from chronic or gastric ulcers.
• Verify the absence of hemorrhage or perforation; if present, a more specific code is required.
• Do not use this code if the ulcer is documented as chronic, as separate codes exist for chronic duodenal ulcers.