K12.2 Cellulitis and abscess of mouth

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

Applicable to

• Cellulitis of mouth (floor)
• Submandibular abscess

Excludes2 (not included here)

• abscess of salivary gland (K11.3)
• abscess of tongue (K14.0)
• periapical abscess (K04.6-K04.7)
• periodontal abscess (K05.21)
• peritonsillar abscess (J36)

Applies from K12 Stomatitis and related lesions

Excludes1 (never code together)

• cancrum oris (A69.0)
• cheilitis (K13.0)
• gangrenous stomatitis (A69.0)
• herpesviral [herpes simplex] gingivostomatitis (B00.2)
• noma (A69.0)

Use additional code

• code to identify:
• alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)
• exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22)
• exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81)
• history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891)
• occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z57.31)
• tobacco dependence (F17.-)
• tobacco use (Z72.0)

MS-DRG index

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

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• 528.00 Stomatitis and mucositis, unspecified (approximate)
• 528.3 Cellulitis and abscess of oral soft tissues (approximate)
• 682.0 Cellulitis and abscess of face (approximate)

Code annotations containing back-references to K12.2

Back-references to K12.2

• Type 2 Excludes: L02.0 Cutaneous abscess, furuncle and carbuncle of face ("abscess of mouth (K12.2)")
• Type 2 Excludes: L02.0 Cutaneous abscess, furuncle and carbuncle of face ("submandibular abscess (K12.2)")
• Type 2 Excludes: L03 Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis ("cellulitis of mouth (K12.2)")
• Type 2 Excludes: L03.211 Cellulitis of face ("cellulitis of mouth (K12.2)")

Back-references to K12

• Type 2 Excludes: K13 Other diseases of lip and oral mucosa ("stomatitis and related lesions (K12.-)")
• Use Additional: L51 Erythema multiforme ("stomatitis (K12.-)")

Diagnosis Index entries for K12.2

• Abscess (connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic) › buccal cavity
• Abscess (connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic) › cheek (external) › inner
• Abscess (connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic) › mouth (floor)
• Abscess (connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic) › palate (soft)
• Abscess (connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic) › parotid (duct) (gland) › region
• Abscess (connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic) › sublingual
• Abscess (connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic) › submandibular (region) (space) (triangle)
• Abscess (connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic) › uvula
• Angina (attack) (cardiac) (chest) (heart) (pectoris) (syndrome) (vasomotor) › Ludovici
• Angina (attack) (cardiac) (chest) (heart) (pectoris) (syndrome) (vasomotor) › Ludwig's
• Cellulitis (diffuse) (phlegmonous) (septic) (suppurative) › cheek (external) › internal
• Cellulitis (diffuse) (phlegmonous) (septic) (suppurative) › mouth (floor)
• Cellulitis (diffuse) (phlegmonous) (septic) (suppurative) › palate (soft)
• Cellulitis (diffuse) (phlegmonous) (septic) (suppurative) › submandibular (region) (space) (triangle)
• Cellulitis (diffuse) (phlegmonous) (septic) (suppurative) › submaxillary (region)
• Disease, diseased › Ludwig's (submaxillary cellulitis)
• Fistula (cutaneous) › buccal cavity (infective)
• Fistula (cutaneous) › mouth
• Fistula (cutaneous) › oral (cutaneous)
• Fistula (cutaneous) › parotid (gland) › region
• Fistula (cutaneous) › submaxillary (gland) › region
• Furuncle › mouth
• Furuncle › submandibular
• Gangrene, gangrenous (connective tissue) (dropsical) (dry) (moist) (skin) (ulcer) › uvulitis
• Ludwig's angina or disease
• Staphylitis (acute) (catarrhal) (chronic) (gangrenous) (membranous) (suppurative) (ulcerative)
• Stomatitis (denture) (ulcerative) › suppurative (acute)
• Uvulitis (acute) (catarrhal) (chronic) (membranous) (suppurative) (ulcerative)

Nearby codes

• K12 Stomatitis and related lesions
• K12.0 Recurrent oral aphthae
• K12.1 Other forms of stomatitis
• K12.2 Cellulitis and abscess of mouth (this code)
• K12.3 Oral mucositis (ulcerative)
• K12.30 Oral mucositis (ulcerative), unspecified
• K12.31 Oral mucositis (ulcerative) due to antineoplastic therapy
• K12.32 Oral mucositis (ulcerative) due to other drugs
• K12.33 Oral mucositis (ulcerative) due to radiation