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    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiseases of middle ear and mastoidICD-10-CM h71-cholesteatoma-of-middle-ear
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Cholesteatoma Of Middle Ear: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group H71 includes cholesteatoma of the middle ear and related destructive epithelial lesions that can involve the middle ear cleft and mastoid. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document cases of middle ear cholesteatoma, including congenital and acquired forms, capturing extent of local tissue destruction and complications such as hearing loss or infection. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM H71 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM H71: Cholesteatoma Of Middle Ear Overview

    The ICD-10-CM H71 group represents cholesteatoma of the middle ear and related pathologic lesions affecting the middle ear and mastoid. These diagnoses concern abnormal keratinizing squamous epithelium growths that can erode ossicles and surrounding structures, impacting hearing and increasing infection risk. Accurate coding is important for clinical communication and supports appropriate reimbursement by reflecting disease complexity and treatment needs.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when documentation indicates a diagnosis of middle ear cholesteatoma or related destructive epithelial lesion. Include additional codes for associated complications such as hearing loss, infection, or intracranial extension as documented.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    20 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    H71.00Cholesteatoma of attic, unspecified ear
    H71.01Cholesteatoma of attic, right ear
    H71.02Cholesteatoma of attic, left ear
    H71.03Cholesteatoma of attic, bilateral
    H71.10Cholesteatoma of tympanum, unspecified ear
    H71.11Cholesteatoma of tympanum, right ear
    H71.12Cholesteatoma of tympanum, left ear
    H71.13Cholesteatoma of tympanum, bilateral
    H71.20Cholesteatoma of mastoid, unspecified ear
    H71.21Cholesteatoma of mastoid, right ear
    H71.22Cholesteatoma of mastoid, left ear
    H71.23Cholesteatoma of mastoid, bilateral
    H71.30Diffuse cholesteatosis, unspecified ear
    H71.31Diffuse cholesteatosis, right ear
    H71.32Diffuse cholesteatosis, left ear
    H71.33Diffuse cholesteatosis, bilateral
    H71.90Unspecified cholesteatoma, unspecified ear
    H71.91Unspecified cholesteatoma, right ear
    H71.92Unspecified cholesteatoma, left ear
    H71.93Unspecified cholesteatoma, bilateral

    DRG Codes

    3 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    154Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCC
    155Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CC
    156Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • A 35-year-old adult presents to the otolaryngology clinic with months of progressive unilateral aural fullness, foul-smelling otorrhea, and conductive hearing loss after multiple prior ear infections; otoscopic exam reveals a retraction pocket with visible keratin debris and erosion of the pars flaccida. This chronic, non-acute presentation of a destructive middle ear process leads to assignment of a cholesteatoma diagnosis. Typical codes: H71.20, H71.21
    • A 7-year-old child is brought to the emergency department after sudden onset of severe ear pain, fever, and drainage from the ear following an upper respiratory infection; exam shows acute mastoid tenderness and purulent otorrhea with concern for an acute infected cholesteatoma complicated by mastoiditis. Because this is an acute presentation with active infection and possible extension, an acute/infected cholesteatoma code from the group is used. Typical codes: H71.10, H71.11
    • A 60-year-old patient with a history of prior tympanomastoid surgery for cholesteatoma now presents for routine follow-up with persistent conductive hearing loss and imaging showing residual/recurrent middle ear cholesteatoma without active infection. This scenario of residual or recurrent disease after prior treatment warrants coding that reflects the chronic or recurrent status. Typical codes: H71.30, H71.31

    Related Codes

    H65-NONSUPPURATIVE-OTITIS-MEDIA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Nonsuppurative Otitis Media: Group Overview

    H66-SUPPURATIVE-AND-UNSPECIFIED-OTITIS-MEDIA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Suppurative And Unspecified Otitis Media: Group Overview

    H67-OTITIS-MEDIA-IN-DISEASES-CLASSIFIED-ELSEWHERE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Otitis Media In Diseases Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview

    H68-EUSTACHIAN-SALPINGITIS-AND-OBSTRUCTION

    ICD-10-CM Code For Eustachian Salpingitis And Obstruction: Group Overview

    H69-OTHER-AND-UNSPECIFIED-EUSTACHIAN-TUBE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other And Unspecified Disorders Of Eustachian Tube: Group Overview

    H70-MASTOIDITIS-AND-RELATED-CONDITIONS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Mastoiditis And Related Conditions: Group Overview

    H72-PERFORATION-OF-TYMPANIC-MEMBRANE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Perforation Of Tympanic Membrane: Group Overview

    H73-OTHER-DISORDERS-OF-TYMPANIC-MEMBRANE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Disorders Of Tympanic Membrane: Group Overview

    H74-OTHER-DISORDERS-MIDDLE-EAR-MASTOID

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Disorders Of Middle Ear Mastoid: Group Overview

    H75-OTHER-MIDDLE-EAR-DISORDERS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Disorders Of Middle Ear And Mastoid In Diseases Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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