What is a pleural effusion with atelectasis?

A pleural effusion or pneumothorax causes relaxation or passive atelectasis. Pleural effusions affect the lower lobes more commonly than pneumothorax, which affects the upper lobes. A large pleural-based lung mass may cause compression atelectasis by decreasing lung volumes.

What is the ICD 10 code for bilateral pleural effusions?

J91.8
Pleural effusion in other conditions classified elsewhere J91. 8 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM J91. 8 became effective on October 1, 2021.

What does bilateral pleural effusions mean?

Bilateral pleural effusion is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space — the space between the lungs and the chest wall, said doctors.

Should I worry about atelectasis?

Always seek medical attention right away if you have trouble breathing. Other conditions besides atelectasis can cause breathing difficulties and require an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment. If your breathing becomes increasingly difficult, seek emergency medical help.

What is bilateral atelectasis?

Bibasilar atelectasis is a condition that happens when you have a partial collapse of your lungs. This type of collapse is caused when the small air sacs in your lungs deflate.

Is atelectasis life threatening?

If enough of the lung is affected, your blood may not receive enough oxygen, which can cause health problems. Atelectasis often develops after surgery. It is not typically life-threatening, but in some cases, it needs to be treated quickly.

When do you code pleural effusion?

A: Usually, pleural effusion is integral to congestive heart failure and isn’t coded as a secondary diagnosis. But, if the physician documents that the pleural effusion is clinically significant and required monitoring and further evaluation, then it can be reported as a secondary diagnosis.