ICD-10 Code for Sinus Infection
The ICD-10 code for acute sinusitis is J01 (with specific fourth and fifth characters depending on the sinus involved), while chronic sinusitis is coded as J32 (also with additional characters for anatomic location).
Acute Sinusitis Coding (J01 Series)
The J01 category covers acute sinusitis and requires additional specificity based on anatomic location 1:
- J01.0 - Acute maxillary sinusitis (most common)
- J01.1 - Acute frontal sinusitis
- J01.2 - Acute ethmoidal sinusitis
- J01.3 - Acute sphenoidal sinusitis
- J01.4 - Acute pansinusitis (all sinuses involved) 2
- J01.8 - Other acute sinusitis
- J01.9 - Acute sinusitis, unspecified
Acute sinusitis is defined as symptoms lasting less than 4 weeks, including purulent rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, facial pain, postnasal drainage, and cough 1.
Chronic Sinusitis Coding (J32 Series)
The J32 category applies when symptoms persist for 8 weeks (≥12 weeks per some guidelines) or longer 1, 3:
- J32.0 - Chronic maxillary sinusitis
- J32.1 - Chronic frontal sinusitis
- J32.2 - Chronic ethmoidal sinusitis
- J32.3 - Chronic sphenoidal sinusitis
- J32.4 - Chronic pansinusitis 2
- J32.8 - Other chronic sinusitis
- J32.9 - Chronic sinusitis, unspecified
Chronic sinusitis requires at least 2 of 4 cardinal symptoms (nasal blockage, nasal discharge, facial pain/pressure, or reduction/loss of smell) for ≥12 weeks 3.
Subacute and Recurrent Sinusitis
- Subacute sinusitis (symptoms 4-8 weeks) typically uses J01 codes as it represents unresolved acute disease 1
- Recurrent acute sinusitis (≥3 episodes per year with symptom-free intervals) uses J01 codes for each episode 1
Important Coding Considerations
Always specify the anatomic location when known - using unspecified codes (J01.9 or J32.9) should be avoided when clinical documentation identifies specific sinuses involved 1, 2.
The diagnosis must be clinical - imaging abnormalities alone are insufficient for coding sinusitis, as up to 42-68% of healthy children and 87% of adults recovering from colds show sinus abnormalities on imaging 1.
Bacterial superinfection in chronic sinusitis still uses J32 codes, as the chronic nature takes precedence over the acute bacterial component 3.
Common Pitfalls
- Do not code based on imaging alone - sinus opacification is common in asymptomatic individuals and does not justify a sinusitis diagnosis without corresponding clinical symptoms 1, 2
- Duration matters - ensure you're using J01 for acute (<4 weeks) versus J32 for chronic (≥8-12 weeks) based on symptom duration 1, 3
- Pansinusitis requires all sinuses - J01.4 or J32.4 should only be used when all four paranasal sinus pairs (maxillary, ethmoid, frontal, sphenoid) are involved 2