Urology Coding Alert

Question: What is a good definition for foreign body in relation to coding? Is it considered to be something outside the body that enters into an area of the body accidentally? Can a scrotal mass be considered a foreign body of the scrotum because it grew there but isn’t normally in the scrotum?

Minnesota Subscriber

Answer: “Foreign” means “originating elsewhere” or simply “outside the body.” From a medical coding perspective, a foreign body is something that is from outside the human body but moves into it. For example, metals, implants, glass, nails, pencil leads, wood, fish hooks, and many other objects are considered foreign bodies. A foreign body may be inserted into the body intentionally or accidentally.

To answer the other portion of your question, a scrotal mass cannot be considered a foreign body of the scrotum because it is an excessive growth from within the body, not an external object that becomes inserted.