CODES.AND.STUFF

Rhabdomyolysis is a breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue and may be caused by physical, chemical or biological factors. The ICD-10 code assignment for rhabdomyolysis will depend on the cause of the muscle cell damage.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has ratified the addition of ‘Rhabdomyolysis (idiopathic) NEC’ to the alphabetical index (ICD-10 Volume 3). This entry will become effective in the UK NHS from 1 October 2008.

Please annotate the index as follows:

Rhabdomyolysis (idiopathic) NEC M62.8

– traumatic T79.6

Thus rhabdomyolysis, unspecified further or without a known cause, must be coded to M62.8 Other specified disorders of muscle. Traumatic rhabdomyolysis must be coded to T79.6 Traumatic ischaemia of muscle.

Rhabdomyolysis results in the protein myoglobin being released from the damaged muscle cells into tissue fluid and blood. This may result in damage to the kidneys, ranging from myoglobinuria to acute renal failure or nephritis. Renal problems due to non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis should be coded in addition to the rhabdomyolysis.

Renal failure due to traumatic rhabdomyolysis follows the index trail:

Failure, failed

– renal

– – following

– – – crushing T79.5

Leading to the Tabular List entry:

T79.5 Traumatic anuria

Crush syndrome

Renal failure following crushing

Date published: 09/2008 (Volume 5 Issue 2)

Supersedes: 11-12/1997 (Issue 35)

Coding Clinic, NHS Classifications Service

www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/codingclinic

Tags: connective tissue, musculoskeletal system, rhabdomyolysis