Left upper quadrant pain

This code signifies discomfort or aching localized to the upper left region of the abdomen. This area typically encompasses organs such as the stomach, spleen, left kidney, and parts of the colon and pancreas. It is a symptom code, indicating the patient's primary complaint.

This code is appropriate when the patient presents with pain specifically documented as being in the left upper quadrant, and a more definitive diagnosis for the underlying cause of the pain has not yet been established. It is often used for initial encounters or when the etiology of the pain is still under investigation. Documentation should clearly specify "left upper quadrant pain" or a similar precise anatomical location.

• Do not use this code if a more specific diagnosis for the abdominal pain is known (e.g., gastritis, splenic infarction).
• Consider sequencing this code as the primary diagnosis when the pain is the chief complaint and the underlying cause is unknown.
• Distinguish from generalized abdominal pain (R10.84) or other specified abdominal pains (R10.89) based on documentation of precise location.