Cellulitis and abscess of unspecified sites

This code represents a bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (cellulitis) or a localized collection of pus within the tissue (abscess) when the specific anatomical location is not documented. It indicates an inflammatory process without further detail regarding the affected body part.

Use this code when the medical record clearly states "cellulitis and abscess" but provides no information about the site of infection. This might occur in situations where the provider's documentation is incomplete or when the infection is widespread and not localized to a single, identifiable area.

• Avoid using this code if a more specific anatomical site is documented (e.g., cellulitis of the arm, abscess of the leg).
• Always query the provider for a more specific site if possible, as this code indicates a lack of detail.
• Consider additional codes for underlying conditions or causative organisms if known and documented.