L03.221 Cellulitis of neck

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

Applies from L03 Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis

Excludes2 (not included here)

• cellulitis of anal and rectal region (K61.-)
• cellulitis of external auditory canal (H60.1)
• cellulitis of eyelid (H00.0)
• cellulitis of female external genital organs (N76.4)
• cellulitis of lacrimal apparatus (H04.3)
• cellulitis of male external genital organs (N48.2, N49.-)
• cellulitis of mouth (K12.2)
• cellulitis of nose (J34.0)
• eosinophilic cellulitis [Wells] (L98.3)
• febrile neutrophilic dermatosis [Sweet] (L98.2)
• lymphangitis (chronic) (subacute) (I89.1)

MS-DRG index

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

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• 682.1 Cellulitis and abscess of neck (approximate)

Code annotations containing back-references to L03.221

Back-references to L03.221

• Use Additional: J95.02 Infection of tracheostomy stoma ("cellulitis of neck (L03.221)")

Back-references to L03.2

• Type 2 Excludes: L03.12 Acute lymphangitis of other parts of limb ("acute lymphangitis of fingers (L03.2-)")

Back-references to L03

• Type 1 Excludes: I89.1 Lymphangitis ("acute lymphangitis (L03.-)")
• Type 2 Excludes: L89 Pressure ulcer ("skin infections (L00-L08)")
• Type 2 Excludes: L97 Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified ("skin infections (L00-L08)")
• Type 2 Excludes: L98.4 Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin, not elsewhere classified ("skin infections (L00-L08)")
• Type 2 Excludes: L98.A Non-pressure chronic ulcer of upper limb, not elsewhere classified ("skin infections (L00-L08)")
• Use Additional: T65.84 Toxic effect of xylazine ("cellulitis and acute lymphangitis (L03.-)")

Diagnosis Index entries for L03.221

• Cellulitis (diffuse) (phlegmonous) (septic) (suppurative) › cervical (meaning neck)
• Cellulitis (diffuse) (phlegmonous) (septic) (suppurative) › neck (region)

Nearby codes

• L03.21 Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of face
• L03.211 Cellulitis of face
• L03.212 Acute lymphangitis of face
• L03.213 Periorbital cellulitis
• L03.22 Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of neck
• L03.221 Cellulitis of neck (this code)
• L03.222 Acute lymphangitis of neck
• L03.3 Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of trunk
• L03.31 Cellulitis of trunk
• L03.311 Cellulitis of abdominal wall
• L03.312 Cellulitis of back [any part except buttock]