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D44.12 ICD-10-CM Code: Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of left adrenal gland

Compare with another code for D44.12Check this code on a claim

Billing Status: YES. This is a valid, specific, and billable ICD-10-CM reference.

Coding at a Glance

Tabular directives
7 Excludes1 · 1 use-additional instruction

Billable · FY2027A valid, specific ICD-10-CM code, reportable for dates of service in FY2027.

What you need to know

Source: CMS/NCHS Official ICD-10-CM tabular notes, quoted. From the CMS/NCHS tabular list for the release in force. A note the category or block publishes applies to this code too, and is marked with where it comes from.

Use additional codefrom D44.1Report with this code when documented
  • Use additional code to identify any functional activity.
Excludes1Not reported with this code unless documented as unrelated
  • multiple endocrine adenomatosis (E31.2-) (from D44)
  • multiple endocrine neoplasia (E31.2-) (from D44)
  • neoplasm of uncertain behavior of endocrine pancreas (D37.8) (from D44)
  • neoplasm of uncertain behavior of ovary (D39.1-) (from D44)

+3 more in Instructions

Where it sits Source: CMS/NCHS

Under:Chapter 2: NeoplasmsD37-D48 Neoplasms of uncertain behavior, polycythemia vera and myelodysplastic syndromesD44 Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of endocrine glandsD44.1 Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of adrenal gland

Most relevant related codes MedCoder-derived

Read off the official notes above and this code’s own position in the tabular list. Which to report is a documentation question; Compare shows the two side by side.

CompareCheck ClaimView Related Codes

Inpatient Payment Groups (MS-DRG)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

MS-DRGs this diagnosis helps define, as principal or secondary, per the CMS ICD-10-CM/PCS MS-DRG Definitions Manual v44, Appendix B.

  • MS-DRG 643 — ENDOCRINE DISORDERS WITH MCC (MDC 10)
  • MS-DRG 644 — ENDOCRINE DISORDERS WITH CC (MDC 10)
  • MS-DRG 645 — ENDOCRINE DISORDERS WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC 10)

A diagnosis appearing in a group's logic does not by itself determine the DRG assigned to a stay; the grouper uses the full claim.

Coding instructions

Official Tabular Instructional Notes: the inclusion, exclusion and sequencing notes published for D44.12 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list, quoted as published.

Source: CMS/CDC — ICD-10-CM Tabular ListRelease: FY2027Effective: October 1, 2026

Trace:FY2027 changesChange historyRelease, file and checksum

Notes without a marker are published on D44.12 itself; “inherited from” names the category or block whose note applies here.

Excludes1 — Not Coded Here

Conditions generally not reported together with this code (Excludes1) -- an error unless the two conditions are documented as unrelated to each other (ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).

Use Additional Code

Supplementary codes the tabular list directs you to add.

  • Use additional code to identify any functional activity.

Source: inherited from D44.1

Coder workflow for D44.12

MedCoder structured workflow — derived from this code’s own official record

Before you code D44.12

  1. Laterality is coded in this family. Confirm the side documented — right, left, or bilateral — and select the matching code (this page’s code: left). The unspecified-side code applies only when the record states no side. Laterality is assigned from the documented side; where a bilateral code exists and both sides are documented, it is used instead of two unilateral codes (Guidelines I.B.13).

    ReviewD44.11 · right, D44.10 · unspecified

    Guide: Laterality coding →

  2. Confirm the documented site and behavior (this code’s block classifies uncertain behavior neoplasms), whether the site is primary or secondary, and whether the malignancy is current or a personal history: a previously excised malignancy with no further treatment and no evidence of disease is history, not current disease. Verify the site against the Table of Neoplasms. Neoplasm chapter guidelines (Guidelines I.C.2.a, I.C.2.d, I.C.2.m).

    See the Table of Neoplasms entries · Guide: Active cancer vs history of cancer →

  3. Check the Excludes1 note: if the documentation supports a condition named there, do not simply proceed with D44.12. Excludes1 conditions are not reported together with this code unless the record shows they are unrelated (Guidelines I.A.12.a).

    See the official tabular notes

Choose the right path

  1. Does the documentation support a condition named in D44.12’s Excludes1 note?
    Yes → Do not simply proceed: review the excluded code. Both are reported only when the record shows the two conditions are unrelated.
    No → Continue.

    ReviewE31.2, D37.8, D39.1, D40.1, D38.4, D49

  2. Is the side documented?
    Yes → Select the code for the documented side (or the bilateral code when both sides are documented and one exists).
    No → Use the unspecified-side code only when the record states no side; a query is the alternative.

    ReviewD44.11 · right, D44.10 · unspecified

Consider D44.12. Then work the Use Additional Code note, and confirm the code is valid for the date of service in the Verify section.

Documentation check

The provider’s diagnostic statement
Codes are assigned from the provider’s documented diagnosis, not from clinical criteria, test values or a medication list (Guidelines I.A.19).
Anatomical site
At the most specific level the record states; a site the classification separates cannot be assumed from a procedure or a measurement.
Laterality
Right, left or bilateral as documented; unspecified only when the record states no side (Guidelines I.B.13).
The conditions the Use Additional Code note names
Reported with this code when documented; a conditional instruction (“if applicable”, “if known”) applies only when the record supports it.
Behavior and current-versus-history status
Malignant, in situ, benign or uncertain; primary or secondary; current disease or personal history (Guidelines I.C.2.m).

Official instructions as workflow

  • Excludes1 — check before selecting D44.12(7 notes)

    Coding workflow: If the documentation supports a condition named in this note, do not simply proceed with D44.12: the two are not reported together. The one exception is when the record shows the two conditions are unrelated to each other.

    CompareE31.2, D37.8, D39.1, D40.1, D38.4, D49

    See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.12.a

  • Use Additional Code — after identifying D44.12(1 note)

    Coding workflow: Check whether the documentation supports the additional code(s) the note names, and report them with D44.12 when it does. Where the instruction is conditional (“if applicable”, “if known”), it applies only when the record documents the condition.

    See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.13

Coding decision scenarios

Pattern scenarios for this code’s structure — decision rules, not clinical cases

Documentation: Both the condition D44.12 describes and a condition named in its Excludes1 note are documented for the same encounter.

Coding question: Can both codes be reported?

Path: Review the Excludes1 note and the excluded code, and look for a provider statement on whether the two conditions are related.

Reason: Excludes1 means the two are not coded together; the exception is when the record shows the conditions are unrelated to each other (Guidelines I.A.12.a).

ReviewE31.2, D37.8, D39.1, D40.1, D38.4, D49

Documentation: The record documents the condition on one side only.

Coding question: Which code in this family applies?

Path: Select the sibling code for the documented side.

Reason: Laterality is assigned from the documented side; the unspecified-side code is for records that state no side (Guidelines I.B.13).

ReviewD44.11 · right, D44.10 · unspecified

Documentation: A condition the Use Additional Code note names is documented.

Coding question: Is a second code reported with D44.12?

Path: Review the Use Additional Code note and the code it names.

Reason: The additional code is reported when the record documents the condition; a conditional instruction applies only when its condition is met (Guidelines I.A.13).

Every row is derived from this code’s own record — its title, tabular notes, 7th-character family and same-category siblings — with fixed MedCoder wording; nothing is inferred about a patient. The official notes and guideline text are in the sections each row links to, and they control.

Don’t confuse D44.12 with…

MedCoder analysis — pairs from this code’s official notes, distinctions written by MedCoder

The codes most likely to be picked instead of D44.12 — named in its own official notes, or sharing its laterality or encounter family — with what separates them and which documentation moves the case. Each links to the full comparison.

  • E31.2— Excludes1 conflict (Excludes1 — generally not reported together)

    Not coded here — the tabular list excludes this pair for the same encounter.

    Not reported together with this code, except where the two conditions are documented as unrelated.

    What moves you there: Documentation of multiple endocrine adenomatosis moves the case to E31.2; the two are not reported together unless documented as unrelated.

    Full comparison: D44.12 vs E31.2 →

  • D37.8— Excludes1 conflict (Excludes1 — generally not reported together)

    Not coded here — the tabular list excludes this pair for the same encounter.

    Not reported together with this code, except where the two conditions are documented as unrelated.

    What moves you there: Documentation of neoplasm of uncertain behavior of endocrine pancreas moves the case to D37.8; the two are not reported together unless documented as unrelated.

    Full comparison: D44.12 vs D37.8 →

  • D39.1— Excludes1 conflict (Excludes1 — generally not reported together)

    Not coded here — the tabular list excludes this pair for the same encounter.

    Not reported together with this code, except where the two conditions are documented as unrelated.

    What moves you there: Documentation of neoplasm of uncertain behavior of ovary moves the case to D39.1; the two are not reported together unless documented as unrelated.

    Full comparison: D44.12 vs D39.1 →

  • D40.1— Excludes1 conflict (Excludes1 — generally not reported together)

    Not coded here — the tabular list excludes this pair for the same encounter.

    Not reported together with this code, except where the two conditions are documented as unrelated.

    What moves you there: Documentation of neoplasm of uncertain behavior of testis moves the case to D40.1; the two are not reported together unless documented as unrelated.

    Full comparison: D44.12 vs D40.1 →

  • D38.4— Excludes1 conflict (Excludes1 — generally not reported together)

    Not coded here — the tabular list excludes this pair for the same encounter.

    Not reported together with this code, except where the two conditions are documented as unrelated.

    What moves you there: Documentation of neoplasm of uncertain behavior of thymus moves the case to D38.4; the two are not reported together unless documented as unrelated.

    Full comparison: D44.12 vs D38.4 →

  • D49— Excludes1 conflict (Excludes1 — generally not reported together)

    Not coded here — the tabular list excludes this pair for the same encounter.

    Not reported together with this code, except where the two conditions are documented as unrelated.

    What moves you there: Documentation of neoplasms of unspecified behavior moves the case to D49; the two are not reported together unless documented as unrelated.

    Full comparison: D44.12 vs D49 →

Relationships are read from this code's own official notes, its laterality siblings and its encounter family; the wording of each distinction is MedCoder editorial, and the documentation named in each “what moves you there” line is the official note phrase or sibling title itself. Source: CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes; ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a.

Coding context

Guidelines, coding notes, decision aids, relationships (with MS-DRG and CCSR classification), hierarchy, HCC, coverage and the context map: what a coder reaches for after the core. Each section names whether it is official source data, a MedCoder-derived relationship or MedCoder editorial.

Code Overview

Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of left adrenal gland is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (D44.12).

MedCoder summary Summary composed by MedCoder from this code's official ICD-10-CM record. The tabular instructional notes themselves appear verbatim below.

Decision Points

The directives on this code's own record, as a pre-claim checklist.

  1. Laterality is coded in this family. Confirm the documented side matches the code — the opposite-side siblings are in the relationships section. See the opposite-side sibling codes
  2. 1 Use Additional Code instruction — report the named additional code(s) when the documentation supports them. See the Use Additional Code notes
  3. 7 Excludes1 entries — codes named there are generally not reported together with this code (Guidelines I.A.12.a). See the Excludes1 notes

Checklist rows are derived from this code's own official directives; the wording of each check is MedCoder editorial. The official notes themselves are in the sections each row links to.

Verify Before Coding

  • No Medicare Code Editor or MS-DRG Definitions Manual restrictions apply to this code.

From the code registry, the Medicare Code Editor, and the MS-DRG Definitions Manual. Check it against a full claim in Claim Check.

Relationships & Classification

MedCoder-derived relationships — computed from published CMS and AHRQ datasets

Other codes that name D44.12 or its code family, from the CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes and the CMS Table of Neoplasms. Tabular-note edges are stored at the code family level that carries each note.

Referenced by 1 Excludes2 note: D49 — Neoplasms of unspecified behavior (via D44.-).

These codes’ tabular lists name this diagnosis as distinct — both may be reported when both are documented.

Referenced by 7 Same-site neoplasm codes: C74.0 — Malignant neoplasm of cortex of adrenal gland (via D44.1.-)Compare D44.12 vs C74.0 →, C74.1 — Malignant neoplasm of medulla of adrenal gland (via D44.1.-)Compare D44.12 vs C74.1 →, C74.9 — Malignant neoplasm of unspecified part of adrenal gland (via D44.1.-)Compare D44.12 vs C74.9 →, C79.7 — Secondary malignant neoplasm of adrenal gland (via D44.1.-)Compare D44.12 vs C79.7 →, D09.3 — Carcinoma in situ of thyroid and other endocrine glands (via D44.1.-)Compare D44.12 vs D09.3 →, D35.0 — Benign neoplasm of adrenal gland (via D44.1.-)Compare D44.12 vs D35.0 →, D49.7 — Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of endocrine glands and other parts of nervous system (via D44.1.-)Compare D44.12 vs D49.7 →.

These codes represent related neoplasm behaviors affecting the same anatomic site.

MS-DRG Grouper Relationships (FY2027)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

FY2027 MS-DRG: not on the CMS CC/MCC list — as a secondary diagnosis this code does not change MS-DRG severity for that release.

Named in the grouper logic of 3 MS-DRGs: DRG 643 (MDC 10), DRG 644 (MDC 10), DRG 645 (MDC 10).

From the CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendices B and C). Actual DRG assignment depends on the complete claim.

Clinical classification (AHRQ CCSR):NEO072 — Neoplasms of unspecified nature or uncertain behavior (default).

Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR) for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Related Codes

Same condition, different side

Same title, differing only in which side of the body it names: right, left, bilateral or unspecified.

D44.10 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of unspecified adrenal gland (unspecified)Compare D44.12 vs D44.10 →, D44.11 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of right adrenal gland (right)Compare D44.12 vs D44.11 →

Same clinical category (CCSR)

AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software groups these diagnoses under the same clinical category (Neoplasms of unspecified nature or uncertain behavior).

D43.0 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of brain, supratentorial, D43.1 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of brain, infratentorial, D43.2 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of brain, unspecified, D43.3 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of cranial nerves, D43.4 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of spinal cord, D43.8 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of other specified parts of central nervous system, D43.9 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of central nervous system, unspecified, D44.0 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of thyroid gland, D44.10 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of unspecified adrenal gland, D44.11 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of right adrenal gland, D44.2 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of parathyroid gland, D44.3 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pituitary gland, D44.4 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of craniopharyngeal duct, D44.5 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pineal gland, D44.6 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of carotid body, D44.7 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of aortic body and other paraganglia, D44.9 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of unspecified endocrine gland, D45 — Polycythemia vera, D47.0 — Mast cell neoplasms of uncertain behavior, D47.01 — Cutaneous mastocytosis, +100 more

Same Index main term, other category

The ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries files this code under the main term “Adenoma”; these codes share that main term but sit in a different category of the Tabular List.

C08.9 — Malignant neoplasm of major salivary gland, unspecified (pleomorphic, carcinoma in, unspecified site), D11.9 — Benign neoplasm of major salivary gland, unspecified (basal cell), D13.4 — Benign neoplasm of liver (bile duct), D13.5 — Benign neoplasm of extrahepatic bile ducts (bile duct, common), D13.6 — Benign neoplasm of pancreas (microcystic, pancreas), D13.7 — Benign neoplasm of endocrine pancreas (beta-cell, pancreas), D14.30 — Benign neoplasm of unspecified bronchus and lung (alveolar), D23.2 — Other benign neoplasm of skin of ear and external auricular canal (ceruminous), D23.9 — Other benign neoplasm of skin, unspecified (apocrine, unspecified site), D24 — Benign neoplasm of breast (nipple), D27.9 — Benign neoplasm of unspecified ovary (testicular, unspecified site, female), D29.20 — Benign neoplasm of unspecified testis (rete cell), D34 — Benign neoplasm of thyroid gland (Hurthle cell), D35.00 — Benign neoplasm of unspecified adrenal gland (black), D35.1 — Benign neoplasm of parathyroid gland (chief cell), D35.2 — Benign neoplasm of pituitary gland (basophil, unspecified site), D38.1 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of trachea, bronchus and lung (bronchial)

Lab tests where this diagnosis supports Medicare coverage (NCD)

Medicare's National Coverage Determination (NCD) program lists this diagnosis as medical justification for these lab tests.

Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT) Test, Iron Panel

Contextual Map

Every relationship of D44.12 in one view: hierarchy, official tabular instructions in both directions, clinical classification, risk adjustment, MS-DRG participation, index terms and change history — each edge carrying the CMS source it derives from.

Run D44.12 with this related code in Claim Check

Hierarchy

Referenced by Excludes2 notes

Referenced by Same-site neoplasm codes

Clinical classification (CCSR)

MS-DRG Grouper

MDC crossing

  • MDC 10 — Endocrine, Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases and Disorders[MDC crossing]: “Endocrine, Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases and Disorders — the grouper's crossing between diagnoses and procedures: a principal diagnosis sets the MDC, and same-MDC procedures move the stay to its surgical DRGs. 5,013 same-MDC procedures group here; browse them on the MDC page.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2027

Neoplasm sites (12)

  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, adrenal — Neoplasm, neoplastic, adrenal — Uncertain Behavior [Neoplasm table]: “Neoplasm, neoplastic, adrenal (Uncertain Behavior)”— CMS Table of Neoplasms · icd10cm-fy2027
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, adrenal, capsule — Neoplasm, neoplastic, adrenal, capsule — Uncertain Behavior [Neoplasm table]: “Neoplasm, neoplastic, adrenal, capsule (Uncertain Behavior)”— CMS Table of Neoplasms · icd10cm-fy2027
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, adrenal, cortex — Neoplasm, neoplastic, adrenal, cortex — Uncertain Behavior [Neoplasm table]: “Neoplasm, neoplastic, adrenal, cortex (Uncertain Behavior)”— CMS Table of Neoplasms · icd10cm-fy2027
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, adrenal, gland — Neoplasm, neoplastic, adrenal, gland — Uncertain Behavior [Neoplasm table]: “Neoplasm, neoplastic, adrenal, gland (Uncertain Behavior)”— CMS Table of Neoplasms · icd10cm-fy2027
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, adrenal, medulla — Neoplasm, neoplastic, adrenal, medulla — Uncertain Behavior [Neoplasm table]: “Neoplasm, neoplastic, adrenal, medulla (Uncertain Behavior)”— CMS Table of Neoplasms · icd10cm-fy2027
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, cortex, adrenal — Neoplasm, neoplastic, cortex, adrenal — Uncertain Behavior [Neoplasm table]: “Neoplasm, neoplastic, cortex, adrenal (Uncertain Behavior)”— CMS Table of Neoplasms · icd10cm-fy2027
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, medulla, adrenal — Neoplasm, neoplastic, medulla, adrenal — Uncertain Behavior [Neoplasm table]: “Neoplasm, neoplastic, medulla, adrenal (Uncertain Behavior)”— CMS Table of Neoplasms · icd10cm-fy2027
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, suprarenal — Neoplasm, neoplastic, suprarenal — Uncertain Behavior [Neoplasm table]: “Neoplasm, neoplastic, suprarenal (Uncertain Behavior)”— CMS Table of Neoplasms · icd10cm-fy2027
  • and 4 more

Nearest codes (12)

Change history

  • FY2016 — In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption [Change history]— CMS release files (code change ledger) · icd10cm-fy2016

Reference

Index terms and tables, published questions and FAQ, every source behind this page with its release and checksum, the date-of-service check and the complete change history.

Neoplasm Table Sites (12)

Official source data — entries quoted as published, in the Index’s own lookup phrasing

Anatomical sites from the official ICD-10-CM Table of Neoplasms that map to this code, with the matching behavior column.

  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, adrenal — Uncertain Behavior
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, adrenal, capsule — Uncertain Behavior
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, adrenal, cortex — Uncertain Behavior
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, adrenal, gland — Uncertain Behavior
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, adrenal, medulla — Uncertain Behavior
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, cortex, adrenal — Uncertain Behavior
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, medulla, adrenal — Uncertain Behavior
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, suprarenal — Uncertain Behavior
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, suprarenal, capsule — Uncertain Behavior
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, suprarenal, cortex — Uncertain Behavior
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, suprarenal, gland — Uncertain Behavior
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, suprarenal, medulla — Uncertain Behavior

Sources for this page

Codes, titles, notes, index terms and mappings on this page are transcribed from the datasets below. Relationships MedCoder computed and text MedCoder wrote are labelled where they appear.

Code, title, tabular notes and index terms Official source data
CMS/CDC ICD-10-CM FY2027 tabular list, index and tables, effective October 1, 2026 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Claim edits Official source data
CMS Definitions of Medicare Code Edits — v44.0 (October 2026) Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Inpatient payment groups Official source data
CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (incl. Appendix B diagnosis index, Appendix C CC/MCC list, Appendix E procedure index) and IPPS Final Rule tables — v44 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Change history and date-of-service validity Official source data
CMS ICD-10-CM release addenda, ingested release by release into the change ledger Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Comparisons, relationships and the contextual map MedCoder-derived relationship
Computed by MedCoder from the tabular notes and tables above; every derived relationship is marked as derived where it appears
Summary and FAQ answers MedCoder editorial explanation
Written by MedCoder to explain the sources above: drafted with AI assistance, checked by a person against the release files, and labelled as MedCoder text where it appears. Not official text.

Current data releases:ICD-10-CM FY2027 · ICD-10-PCS FY2027 · HCPCS October 2026 · MS-DRG v44 · Medicare Code Editor v44.0 · NCCI PTP Q4 2026 · MUE Q4 2026 · NCD code lists 2026-01 · LCD export September 28, 2026 · All releases and sources

Labels on this page: Official source data · MedCoder-derived relationship · MedCoder editorial explanation. How to read the labels · All data sources and release dates · CMS coding rules

Cite this page

Reference this page in a research guide, syllabus or article. The release is included because code content changes each year.

MedCoder.ai. "D44.12 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of left adrenal gland." ICD-10-CM FY2027. https://medcoder.ai/icd10/code/d44.12-neoplasm-of-uncertain-behavior-of-left-adrenal-gland

Change history

  • FY2016 — October 1, 2015
    In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption
    Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of left adrenal gland

No changes since FY2016 — additions, deletions, description changes and billable-status changes are tracked through FY2027, and none are recorded for this code. Note changes are tracked from FY2027 only.

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to D44.12 in its code family, with their registry titles.

View all codes in the D44 family