J38.5

Applicable To

• Laryngismus stridulus)

Approximate Synonyms

• Croup, spasmodic

• Laryngospasm

Clinical Information

• A disorder characterized by paroxysmal spasmodic muscular contraction of the vocal cords.

• A disorder in which the adductor muscles of the vocal cords exhibit increased activity leading to laryngeal spasm. Laryngismus causes closure of the vocal folds and airflow obstruction during inspiration.

• Paroxysmal spasmodic muscular contraction of the vocal cords. It is brief, usually lasting for less than one minute, interrupting the speech and breathing and may produce a high-pitched breathing sound. It may occur under anesthesia or may be associated with gastroesophageal reflex disease.

Details

• J38.5 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

• The 2023 edition of ICD-10-CM J38.5 became effective on October 1, 2022.

• This is the American ICD-10-CM version of J38.5 – other international versions of ICD-10 J38.5 may differ.