J36 Peritonsillar abscess

Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026. Acts as a Complication or Comorbidity (CC) as a secondary diagnosis.

Includes

• abscess of tonsil
• peritonsillar cellulitis
• quinsy

Excludes1 (never code together)

• acute tonsillitis (J03.-)
• chronic tonsillitis (J35.0)
• retropharyngeal abscess (J39.0)
• tonsillitis NOS (J03.9-)

Use additional code

• code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent.

Applies from J36 Peritonsillar abscess

Includes

• abscess of tonsil
• peritonsillar cellulitis
• quinsy

Excludes1 (never code together)

• acute tonsillitis (J03.-)
• chronic tonsillitis (J35.0)
• retropharyngeal abscess (J39.0)
• tonsillitis NOS (J03.9-)

Use additional code

• code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent.

MS-DRG index

Defines the logic of DRG(s) 011-013 in MDC PRE.

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• 475 Peritonsillar abscess

Code annotations containing back-references to J36

Back-references to J36

• Type 1 Excludes: J02 Acute pharyngitis ("peritonsillar abscess (J36)")
• Type 1 Excludes: J03 Acute tonsillitis ("peritonsillar abscess (J36)")
• Type 1 Excludes: J39.0 Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess ("peritonsillar abscess (J36)")
• Type 2 Excludes: K12.2 Cellulitis and abscess of mouth ("peritonsillar abscess (J36)")

Back-references to J36

• Type 1 Excludes: J02 Acute pharyngitis ("peritonsillar abscess (J36)")
• Type 1 Excludes: J03 Acute tonsillitis ("peritonsillar abscess (J36)")
• Type 1 Excludes: J39.0 Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess ("peritonsillar abscess (J36)")
• Type 2 Excludes: K12.2 Cellulitis and abscess of mouth ("peritonsillar abscess (J36)")

Diagnosis Index entries for J36

• Abscess (connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic) › circumtonsillar
• Abscess (connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic) › intratonsillar
• Abscess (connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic) › lingual › tonsil
• Abscess (connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic) › peritonsillar
• Abscess (connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic) › posttonsillar
• Abscess (connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic) › tonsil (s) (lingual)
• Abscess (connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic) › tonsillopharyngeal
• Angina (attack) (cardiac) (chest) (heart) (pectoris) (syndrome) (vasomotor) › phlegmonous
• Angina (attack) (cardiac) (chest) (heart) (pectoris) (syndrome) (vasomotor) › tonsil
• Cellulitis (diffuse) (phlegmonous) (septic) (suppurative) › peritonsillar
• Cellulitis (diffuse) (phlegmonous) (septic) (suppurative) › tonsil
• Cynanche › tonsillaris
• Gangrene, gangrenous (connective tissue) (dropsical) (dry) (moist) (skin) (ulcer) › quinsy
• Hemorrhage, hemorrhagic (concealed) › peritonsillar tissue › due to infection
• Peritonsillitis
• Quinsy (gangrenous)

Nearby codes

• J36 Peritonsillar abscess (this code)