Costovertebral (angle) tenderness, right side

This code signifies pain or tenderness elicited upon palpation of the costovertebral angle (CVA) on the right side of the patient's back. This area corresponds to the junction of the 12th rib and the vertebral column, often indicating potential kidney or retroperitoneal pathology.

Apply this code when the physician's documentation explicitly states "right CVA tenderness" or "right costovertebral angle tenderness" as a finding during physical examination. This finding is commonly associated with conditions like pyelonephritis, kidney stones, or other renal inflammatory processes.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "right side" to accurately assign this laterality-specific code.
• Do not use this code for generalized back pain or tenderness not localized to the costovertebral angle.
• This code represents a sign/symptom; always code the underlying definitive diagnosis if known and documented.