Carbuncle of left lower limb

This code signifies a deep-seated, painful infection of a hair follicle or group of follicles on the left lower limb, characterized by multiple draining sinus tracts. It represents a more severe form of pyoderma, often involving subcutaneous tissue and leading to localized necrosis.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states a carbuncle is present on the patient's left lower extremity (e.g., thigh, leg, ankle, foot). Supporting documentation should include a physical exam noting the characteristic lesion, and potentially culture results confirming bacterial etiology, though not strictly required for diagnosis.

• Differentiate from a simple furuncle (boil), which is a single infected hair follicle without multiple draining heads.
• Ensure the laterality (left) and anatomical site (lower limb) are clearly documented to avoid unspecified or incorrect limb codes.
• Consider an additional code for the causative organism (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus) if identified and documented.