N17.2 Acute kidney failure with medullary necrosis

ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code N17.2: Acute Kidney Failure with Medullary Necrosis

ICD-10-CM code N17.2 represents acute kidney failure with medullary necrosis. It falls under the broader parent category of acute kidney failure codes. This specific code distinguishes the condition from other acute kidney injuries by identifying necrosis in the kidney's medulla. 1 4 5

Plain-language overview

Acute kidney failure involves a sudden decrease in kidney function, and code N17.2 specifically identifies this condition when it occurs alongside medullary necrosis. 4 5

What this code represents

Code N17.2 is an active ICD-10-CM terminology record classified as a Disease or Syndrome, representing acute kidney failure with medullary necrosis as its preferred name. 1

The N17.2 diagnosis code is used for acute kidney failure that occurs with medullary necrosis, distinguishing it from other specific types of acute kidney failure like tubular or cortical necrosis. 4 6

Coding details

Within the ICD-10-CM hierarchy, N17.2 is a narrower concept that falls under the parent category N17, which encompasses all types of acute kidney failure. 1 4

The N17 category of ICD-10 codes is used for all types of acute kidney failure, but it does not specify the underlying cause, and subcategories provide more specific detail about the condition. 5 4

Documentation considerations

Understanding the distinctions between N17.0, N17.1, N17.2, N17.8, and N17.9 helps medical coders improve documentation accuracy, reduce coding errors, and minimize claim denials. 6

Clinical context

Acute tubular necrosis is identified as the most common intrinsic cause of acute kidney injury, particularly among hospitalized patients, and is recognized as a potential precursor to chronic kidney disease. 2

What the sources add

One source indicates N17.2 is selected when injury results from dehydration or medications affecting the kidney's medulla, whereas another provides a clinical example involving a diabetic patient. 5 6

Coverage and utilization context

Healthcare providers use the N17 code to record and report instances of acute kidney failure, and accurate use of specific subcategories helps minimize claim denials. 4 6

Sources

1. ICD-10-CM N17.2 terminology record — National Cancer Institute Enterprise Vocabulary Services; accessed 2026-07-27.
2. Bookshelf — ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
3. ICD-10 | Acute kidney failure, unspecified (N17.9) — cdek.pharmacy.purdue.edu; accessed 2026-07-27.
4. What is the ICD 10 code for Acute kidney failure? — chartpath.com; accessed 2026-07-27.
5. Why ICD-10 Codes Matter for Acute Kidney Injury | Medicotech — medicotechllc.com; accessed 2026-07-27.
6. Acute Kidney Failure ICD 10 Codes: N17.0-N17.9 Explained — allzonems.com; accessed 2026-07-27.