ICD 10 CM D44.6 | Description & Clinical Information

ICD 10 D44.6 describes a medical condition characterized by the presence of tumors in the carotid body, a small organ located near the carotid artery that contains receptors responsible for sensing the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, which cannot be confirmed as either benign or malignant based on histologic examination of cells from a biopsy specimen, due to the inability to definitively determine the cell type.

Official Description Of D44.6

The ICD 10 CM book defines ICD 10 code D44.6 as:

When To Use D44.6

The diagnosis described by the ICD-10-CM code D44.6 refers to patients diagnosed with malignant neoplasm of the carotid body. This rare type of cancer occurs in the small clusters of cells located near the carotid artery, which is the main artery that supplies blood to the head and neck. The carotid body helps to regulate the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, thus making it a crucial component of the body’s respiratory system.

Patients with malignant neoplasm of the carotid body may experience a range of symptoms depending on the stage of the disease. The most common symptom is a mass in the neck, which may feel hard and immovable. Other symptoms include voice changes, ear and throat pain, drooping eyelid, difficulty breathing and swallowing, shoulder pain and weakness of the muscles that lift the shoulders, excessive sweating, hypertension, and rapid heart rate. These symptoms can be caused by other conditions, so a proper diagnosis is necessary.

Healthcare providers use various methods to diagnose malignant neoplasm of the carotid body, including history taking, physical examination, and imaging studies. Laboratory studies such as arterial blood gases may also be used. Imaging studies such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) can provide detailed images of the carotid body and surrounding tissues. A biopsy of the tumor is usually performed to confirm the diagnosis.

Microscopic analysis of a biopsy specimen may not always clearly determine the type of neoplasm, especially in complex or rare cases. This is why in some instances, a portion of the specimen will be sent out to another pathology lab for a second opinion. Patients may also undergo genetic testing to determine whether they have a genetic predisposition to this type of cancer.

Treatment for malignant neoplasm of the carotid body consists of close monitoring and supportive care until a definitive diagnosis is reached. Surgery is the main treatment option and involves the removal of the tumor. This can be done through various surgical techniques, depending on the size and location of the tumor. Radiation therapy may be used to shrink the tumor before surgery, or as an alternative to surgery in some cases. Chemotherapy may also be used, but it is less commonly used than surgery or radiation therapy.

When assigning ICD-10-CM codes, it is important for medical coders to wait for the final pathology results for a more definitive diagnosis. Assigning an unspecified code would be a last resort and is not recommended because payers typically deny claims that do not have a more specific diagnosis. Therefore, a medical coder should only assign a code once a proper diagnosis has been made.

In conclusion, malignant neoplasm of the carotid body is a rare type of cancer that can cause various symptoms. This diagnosis is made through a combination of methods, including history, physical examination, imaging studies, and biopsy. Treatment consists mainly of surgical removal of the tumor, but radiation therapy and chemotherapy may also be used. Medical coders must ensure that a proper diagnosis has been made before assigning an ICD-10-CM code for this condition.