Periumbilic abdominal tenderness

This code signifies localized pain or discomfort upon palpation in the area immediately surrounding the umbilicus. It indicates a physical finding of tenderness, rather than a specific diagnosis, and suggests potential underlying pathology in the periumbilical region.

Use this code when the physician's documentation explicitly states "periumbilical tenderness" as a physical exam finding. This is often observed in cases of early appendicitis, gastroenteritis, or other localized abdominal inflammatory processes.

• Do not use this code if a more specific diagnosis for the abdominal pain is established.
• Ensure the documentation specifies "periumbilical" to differentiate from other abdominal quadrants.
• This code is a symptom code and should be sequenced after any definitive diagnosis, if known.