How Villain Deaths in James Bond Movies Would Be Coded under ICD-10

Now, the coders of all nations can accurately code the deaths occurring in James Bond movies:

1. Goldfinger (1964): Asphyxiation due to gold paint.
   Code T65.6X3S, Toxic effect of paints and dyes, not elsewhere classified, assault, sequela.
2. Goldfinger (1964): Sucked out of depressurized airplane cabin.
   Code T70.8XXS, Other effects of air pressure, sequela.
3. Live and Let Die (1973): Kanaga’s overinflation death.
   Code T70.8, Blast (air) injury syndrome, NEC.
4. For Your Eyes Only (1981): Dropped into an industrial chimney in a motorized wheelchair.
   Code: X02.0XXS, Exposure to flames in controlled fire in building or structure, sequela.
5. Octopussy (1983): Snuffed by a poisonous octopus to the face.
   Code: T63.593S, Toxic effect of contact with other venomous fish, assault, sequela.
6. Octopussy (1983): Punctured on bed of nails.
   Code S21.94XS, Puncture wound with foreign body of unspecified part of thorax, sequela.
7. The Living Daylights (1987): Crushed by a bust of the Duke of Wellington.
   Code: S07.9XXS, Crushing injury of head, part unspecified, sequela.
8. License to Kill (1989): Mangled by a giant cocaine shredder.
   Code W30.89XS, Contact with other specified agricultural machinery, sequela.
9. License to Kill (1989): Sealed in a drawer full of maggots.
   Code B87.9, Myiasis, unspecified.
10. GoldenEye (1995): Frozen by liquid nitrogen.
    Code W93.11XS, Exposure to liquid nitrogen, sequela.
11. Tomorrow Never Dies (1997): Mauled by a sea drill.
    Code: W31.0XXS, Contact with mining and earth-drilling machinery, sequela.
12. Skyfall (2012): Chomped by a Komodo dragon.
    Code: W59.01XS, Contact with non­venomous lizards, sequela.

As aggravatingly complete as ICD-10 seems to be, it is still not precise enough. Indeed, the code T70.8XXS, Other effects of air pressure, sequela does not fully describe a situation in which someone is sucked out of a depressurized airplane cabin. And God knows we need an accurate code for that.
Not to worry, ICD-11 has already been written and is expected to be approved and implemented in 2018. The specificity of ICD-11 will certainly be greater, with each ICD category being described by 13 main parameters. Isn’t that great?

Sterling G. West, MD, MACP, MACR, is professor of internal medicine and associate rheumatology division head for clinical affairs at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora, Colo. He was the previous Rheumatology Fellowship Program Director for over 30 years. He has published more than 100 articles and is editor of the book, Rheumatology Secrets.

Editor’s Note

ACR staff is available to assist with ICD-10 questions.