Hi Pathology Colleagues, I wanted to address a few recent denials I am seeing and alert you so that together, we can be proactive coding these scenarios. First, you receive the EOB (Explanation of B... [ Read More ] Show
What is the appropriate coding for Cirrhosis from hepatitis C? Would it be K74.60-Unspecified cirrhosis of liver or K74.69-Other cirrhosis of liver? I can't find the correct path in the Alpha Index.... [ Read More ] CANPC Anesthesia and Pain Management Vino C. Mody Jr., COC, CPC, CCS-P, CANPC, CCVTC, 4Med CICP Local Chapter AAPC Event El Paso, TX December 9, 2017 Anesthesia General endotracheal anesthesia: Patien... [ Read More ] Thanks, Rajesh. I found this this morning from an article in a 2016 issue of the Diagnostic Coding Pro in which they did a highlight on this very topic: "Code both end-stage liver disease (K72.90) a... [ Read More ] I want to check other coders' opinions as to how to sequence the ICD-10-CM coding in the following situation: Physician documents "Cirrhosis r/o varices" for the indications for an EGD procedure and ... [ Read More ] I am confused about this. NAFLD is coded as K76.0 and as I understand it "fatty change in liver" as included in the description for this code includes the cirrhosis. It is basically synonymous with ... [ Read More ] Cirrhosis is when scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue. This stops the liver from working normally. Cirrhosis is a long-term (chronic) liver disease. The damage to your liver builds up over time. The liver is your body’s largest internal organ. It lies up under your ribs on the right side of your belly. The liver does many important things including:
When you have cirrhosis, scar tissue slows the flow of blood through the liver. Over time, the liver can’t work the way it should. In severe cases, the liver gets so badly damaged that it stops working. This is called liver failure. What causes cirrhosis?The most common causes of cirrhosis are:
Other less common causes of cirrhosis may include:
Some diseases passed from parent to child (inherited diseases) may also cause cirrhosis. These may include:
What are the symptoms of cirrhosis?Your symptoms may vary, depending on how severe your cirrhosis is. Mild cirrhosis may not cause any symptoms at all. Symptoms may include:
The symptoms of cirrhosis may look like other health problems. Always see your healthcare provider to be sure. How is cirrhosis diagnosed?Your healthcare provider will look at your past health. He or she will give you a physical exam. You may also have tests including:
Your healthcare provider may want you to have imaging tests including:
You may also have an upper endoscopy (EGD). A lighted flexible camera is placed through your mouth into your upper digestive tract to look for enlarged blood vessels that are at risk of bleeding because of your cirrhosis. If you have fluid in the belly (ascites), you may need a low sodium diet, water pills (diuretics), and removal of the fluid with a needle (paracentesis). How is cirrhosis treated?Cirrhosis is a progressive liver disease that happens over time. The damage to your liver can sometimes reverse or improve if the trigger is gone, such as stop drinking alcohol or if the virus is treated. The goal of treatment is to slow down the buildup of scar tissue and prevent or treat other health problems. In many cases, you may be able to delay or stop any more liver damage. If you have hepatitis, it may be treated to delay worsening of your liver disease. Your treatment may include:
Talk to your healthcare provider before taking prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, or vitamins. If you have severe cirrhosis, treatment can’t control other problems. A liver transplant may be needed. Other treatments may be specific to your cause of cirrhosis, such as controlling excessive iron or copper levels, or using immune suppressing medicines. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider about recommended vaccines. These include vaccines for viruses that can cause liver disease. What are the complications of cirrhosis?Cirrhosis can cause other health problems such as:
Key points about cirrhosis
Next stepsTips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:
What is unspecified hepatic cirrhosis type?A disorder characterized by replacement of the liver parenchyma with fibrous tissue and regenerative nodules. It is usually caused by alcoholisms, hepatitis b, and hepatitis c. Complications include the development of ascites, esophageal varices, bleeding, and hepatic encephalopathy.
Can you have cirrhosis without ascites?Here we report a case of hepatic hydrothorax without ascites, which was the first sign of liver cirrhosis that was diagnosed with a transient elastography.
How long do you live with cirrhosis of the liver?Patients with compensated cirrhosis have a median survival that may extend beyond 12 years. Patients with decompensated cirrhosis have a worse prognosis than do those with compensated cirrhosis; the average survival without transplantation is approximately two years [13,14].
What stage is hepatic cirrhosis?Alcohol-related liver disease
Drinking too much alcohol damages the liver. Over time, this can lead to alcohol-related liver disease. Cirrhosis is the final stage of alcohol-related liver disease. It usually happens after many years of heavy drinking.
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