2015 ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 511.81
Malignant pleural effusion
- 2015
- Billable Thru Sept 30/2015
- Non-Billable On/After Oct 1/2015
- ICD-9-CM 511.81 is a billable medical code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis on a reimbursement claim, however, 511.81 should only be used for claims with a date of service on or before September 30, 2015. For claims with a date of service on or after October 1, 2015, use an equivalent ICD-10-CM code (or codes).
Convert to ICD-10-CM:
511.81 converts directly to:
- 2015/16 ICD-10-CM J91.0 Malignant pleural effusion
Approximate Synonyms
- Neoplastic pleural effusion
- Pleural effusion due to malignancy
Clinical Information
- A collection of fluid in the pleural cavity as a result of malignant disease. Malignant pleural effusion fluid often contains free-floating malignant cells
- A condition in which cancer causes an abnormal amount of fluid to collect between the thin layers of tissue (pleura) lining the outside of the lung and the wall of the chest cavity. Lung cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, and leukemia cause most malignant pleural effusions
- Presence of fluid in the pleural cavity as a complication of malignant disease. Malignant pleural effusions often contain actual malignant cells
Code First
- Code first malignant neoplasm, if known
pleura, pleurisy, pleuritic, pleuropericardial 511.9
bacterial, nontuberculous 
