From the Research
The ICD-10 code for cerumen impaction is H61.2, which is used to document the diagnosis of excessive or impacted earwax in a patient's medical record. Cerumen impaction occurs when earwax accumulates and becomes firmly packed in the ear canal, potentially causing symptoms such as hearing loss, ear pain, tinnitus, or a feeling of fullness in the ear.
Key Points to Consider
- When using this code in clinical practice, it's essential to document the associated symptoms, any relevant physical examination findings, and the treatment provided, as noted in studies such as 1.
- The code H61.2 falls under the broader category of diseases of the external ear in the ICD-10 classification system.
- This specific coding is essential for accurate medical billing, insurance claims, and maintaining proper medical records for patients diagnosed with this common ear condition.
Treatment and Management
- Effective treatment options for cerumen impaction include cerumenolytic agents, irrigation with or without cerumenolytic pretreatment, and manual removal, as discussed in 1 and 2.
- Home irrigation with a bulb syringe may be appropriate for selected adults, but it's crucial to avoid using cotton-tipped swabs, ear candling, and olive oil drops or sprays, as they can cause more harm than good, according to 1.
- If multiple attempts to remove the impacted cerumen are ineffective, clinicians should refer the patient to an otolaryngologist, as suggested in 1.
Recent Findings
- A network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials found that certain cerumenolytics, such as sodium bicarbonate and paradichlorobenzene, were associated with significantly greater proportions of patients with wax clearance following syringing compared to normal saline, as reported in 3.
- The same study found that urea/hydrogen peroxide/glycerol was observed to have significant cerumenolytic activity without the need for further interventions such as syringing/aspiration/suction, highlighting the importance of staying updated with the latest research in managing cerumen impaction.