Contusion of tail of pancreas, initial encounter

This code signifies a bruise or bleeding within the tail portion of the pancreas resulting from blunt or penetrating trauma. It indicates damage to the pancreatic tissue without a complete tear or laceration.

Apply this code for patients presenting with an initial diagnosis of a pancreatic tail contusion following an injury, such as from a motor vehicle accident, a fall, or a direct blow to the abdomen. This code is appropriate when imaging studies (e.g., CT scan) confirm a localized hematoma or edema within the pancreatic tail.

• Ensure documentation specifies the "tail" of the pancreas and confirms a contusion rather than a laceration or rupture.
• Verify this is the patient's initial encounter for this specific injury; subsequent care would use a different seventh character.
• Always code external cause codes (V, W, X, Y categories) to provide context for the injury.