Deviated nasal septum

This code identifies a structural abnormality of the nasal septum, where the cartilaginous or bony wall separating the nostrils is displaced from the midline. This deviation can obstruct airflow, leading to symptoms such as difficulty breathing, recurrent epistaxis, or chronic sinusitis.

Assign this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of a deviated nasal septum. This diagnosis is typically made during a physical examination, often confirmed by rhinoscopy or imaging studies, and is frequently cited as the underlying cause for other nasal or sinus complaints.

• Do not use for acute nasal trauma unless a pre-existing deviation is explicitly documented.
• Consider sequencing this code as a primary diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter (e.g., for septoplasty).
• Look for documentation of associated symptoms (e.g., chronic sinusitis, epistaxis) which may require additional coding.