ICD-10-CM Code For Acute Lymphadenitis: Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group L04 includes acute inflammatory and infectious conditions of lymph nodes, such as acute lymphadenitis affecting cervical, axillary, inguinal, or unspecified sites. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical scenarios involving infected or inflamed lymph nodes, capturing site specificity, laterality when applicable, and any associated complications. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM L04 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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ICD-10-CM L04: Acute Lymphadenitis Overview

The diagnoses in this group represent acute inflammation and infection of lymph nodes, typically in superficial regional chains such as cervical, axillary, or inguinal nodes. These conditions target the lymphatic system as part of skin and soft tissue infectious processes and can reflect localized or systemic infectious spread. Accurate coding matters for reimbursement because it captures the site, severity, and infectious etiology that affect claim adjudication and service-level payment.

When to Use

Use a code from this group when a clinician documents acute infection or inflammation of lymph nodes as the primary diagnosis or as a significant comorbid condition affecting care. Select the code that specifies the anatomical site and any documented laterality or complications to accurately represent the clinical encounter.

ICD-10-CM Codes

6 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
L04.0	Acute lymphadenitis of face, head and neck
L04.1	Acute lymphadenitis of trunk
L04.2	Acute lymphadenitis of upper limb
L04.3	Acute lymphadenitis of lower limb
L04.8	Acute lymphadenitis of other sites
L04.9	Acute lymphadenitis, unspecified

DRG Codes

5 rows

DRG Code	Description
791	Prematurity with Major Problems
793	Full Term Neonate with Major Problems
814	Reticuloendothelial and Immunity Disorders with MCC
815	Reticuloendothelial and Immunity Disorders with CC
816	Reticuloendothelial and Immunity Disorders without CC/MCC

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An adult presents to the emergency department with sudden onset of a painful, swollen, warm lymph node in the right axilla after a recent puncture wound on the forearm. The node is fluctuant on exam and the patient has fever and leukocytosis, prompting incision and drainage with incision site cultures; an acute bacterial lymphadenitis diagnosis is assigned due to the rapid inflammatory signs and suspected bacterial etiology. Typical codes: L04.2, L04.9
A child is brought to primary care for progressive tender cervical lymph node enlargement over 3 days with erythema of the overlying skin and systemic symptoms after an upper respiratory infection; the clinician documents acute infectious lymphadenitis and prescribes oral antibiotics and close follow-up. Typical codes: L04.0, L04.9
An immunocompromised adult with diabetes develops fever and multiple inflamed inguinal lymph nodes adjacent to a chronic foot ulcer that has cellulitis; the treating team documents acute lymphadenitis as a complication of the local soft tissue infection while managing the primary wound and glycemic control. Typical codes: L04.3, L04.8

ICD-10-CM Code For Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome: Group Overview

L01-IMPETIGO

ICD-10-CM Code For Impetigo: Group Overview

L02-CUTANEOUS-ABSCESS-FURUNCLE-CARBUNCLE

ICD-10-CM Code For Cutaneous Abscess, Furuncle And Carbuncle: Group Overview

L03-CELLULITIS-AND-ACUTE-LYMPHANGITIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Cellulitis And Acute Lymphangitis: Group Overview

L05-PILONIDAL-CYST-AND-SINUS

ICD-10-CM Code For Pilonidal Cyst And Sinus: Group Overview

L08-OTHER-LOCAL-INFECTIONS-OF-SKIN

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Local Infections Of Skin And Subcutaneous Tissue: Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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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When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

6 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
L04.0	Acute lymphadenitis of face, head and neck
L04.1	Acute lymphadenitis of trunk
L04.2	Acute lymphadenitis of upper limb
L04.3	Acute lymphadenitis of lower limb
L04.8	Acute lymphadenitis of other sites
L04.9	Acute lymphadenitis, unspecified

DRG Codes

5 rows

DRG Code	Description
791	Prematurity with Major Problems
793	Full Term Neonate with Major Problems
814	Reticuloendothelial and Immunity Disorders with MCC
815	Reticuloendothelial and Immunity Disorders with CC
816	Reticuloendothelial and Immunity Disorders without CC/MCC

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An adult presents to the emergency department with sudden onset of a painful, swollen, warm lymph node in the right axilla after a recent puncture wound on the forearm. The node is fluctuant on exam and the patient has fever and leukocytosis, prompting incision and drainage with incision site cultures; an acute bacterial lymphadenitis diagnosis is assigned due to the rapid inflammatory signs and suspected bacterial etiology. Typical codes: L04.2, L04.9
A child is brought to primary care for progressive tender cervical lymph node enlargement over 3 days with erythema of the overlying skin and systemic symptoms after an upper respiratory infection; the clinician documents acute infectious lymphadenitis and prescribes oral antibiotics and close follow-up. Typical codes: L04.0, L04.9
An immunocompromised adult with diabetes develops fever and multiple inflamed inguinal lymph nodes adjacent to a chronic foot ulcer that has cellulitis; the treating team documents acute lymphadenitis as a complication of the local soft tissue infection while managing the primary wound and glycemic control. Typical codes: L04.3, L04.8

ICD-10-CM Code For Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome: Group Overview

L01-IMPETIGO

ICD-10-CM Code For Impetigo: Group Overview

L02-CUTANEOUS-ABSCESS-FURUNCLE-CARBUNCLE

ICD-10-CM Code For Cutaneous Abscess, Furuncle And Carbuncle: Group Overview

L03-CELLULITIS-AND-ACUTE-LYMPHANGITIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Cellulitis And Acute Lymphangitis: Group Overview

L05-PILONIDAL-CYST-AND-SINUS

ICD-10-CM Code For Pilonidal Cyst And Sinus: Group Overview

L08-OTHER-LOCAL-INFECTIONS-OF-SKIN

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Local Infections Of Skin And Subcutaneous Tissue: Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

ICD-10-CM Code For Acute Lymphadenitis: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Acute Lymphadenitis: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM L04: Acute Lymphadenitis Overview

ICD-10-CM Code For Acute Lymphadenitis: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Acute Lymphadenitis: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM L04: Acute Lymphadenitis Overview

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

References

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

References

ICD-10-CM Code For Acute Lymphadenitis: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Acute Lymphadenitis: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM L04: Acute Lymphadenitis Overview

ICD-10-CM Code For Acute Lymphadenitis: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Acute Lymphadenitis: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM L04: Acute Lymphadenitis Overview

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which conditions are represented in ICD-10-CM code group `L04`?

What specific diagnosis codes are included in the `L04` group?

Why is accurate coding within `L04` important for reimbursement?

How does the `L04` group relate to DRG assignment?

What documentation elements should be captured when selecting a code from `L04`?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which conditions are represented in ICD-10-CM code group `L04`?

What specific diagnosis codes are included in the `L04` group?

Why is accurate coding within `L04` important for reimbursement?

How does the `L04` group relate to DRG assignment?

What documentation elements should be captured when selecting a code from `L04`?

References