Other ulcerative colitis with abscess

This code signifies a form of ulcerative colitis that is not otherwise specified as pancolitis, left-sided, or proctosigmoiditis, and is complicated by the presence of an abscess. It indicates an inflammatory bowel disease affecting the colon, characterized by ulceration and the formation of a localized collection of pus.

Use this code when documentation specifies ulcerative colitis with an abscess, and the extent of the colitis (e.g., pancolitis, left-sided, proctosigmoiditis) is not precisely defined. This code is appropriate when the physician's notes clearly state "ulcerative colitis with abscess" without further anatomical specificity for the colitis itself.

• Ensure the documentation explicitly states "abscess" as a complication of the ulcerative colitis.
• If the specific extent of the ulcerative colitis (e.g., pancolitis, left-sided) is documented, a more specific code within the K51.x1x series should be used.
• Do not use this code if the abscess is unrelated to the ulcerative colitis; code the abscess separately in such cases.