2025 ICD-10-CM code B02.1
Zoster meningitis. This is a manifestation of a herpes zoster infection causing inflammation of the meninges (membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord).
Medical necessity for treatment of zoster meningitis stems from the potentially serious complications of the infection affecting the central nervous system.Prompt diagnosis and treatment with antiviral medications are vital to prevent long-term neurological damage.
Clinicians diagnose zoster meningitis based on patient history, physical and neurological exams, and laboratory tests such as PCR of cerebrospinal fluid. Treatment typically involves antiviral medications like acyclovir, along with supportive care to manage symptoms.
In simple words: Zoster meningitis is a complication of shingles, causing inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include fever, headache, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light. It's more common in people with weakened immune systems.
Zoster meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges (the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) due to the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox and shingles.It typically occurs in individuals who have had chickenpox, as the virus can lie dormant in the body and reactivate later, especially in those with weakened immune systems.
Example 1: A 60-year-old patient with a history of shingles presents with severe headache, stiff neck, fever, and photophobia.Lumbar puncture reveals the presence of VZV in the cerebrospinal fluid, confirming the diagnosis of zoster meningitis., An immunocompromised patient undergoing chemotherapy develops a painful rash along their torso, followed by symptoms of meningitis.Testing identifies VZV as the cause, indicating zoster meningitis as a complication of their weakened immune system. , A patient with HIV presents with altered mental status, fever, and headache.Further examination reveals a rash characteristic of shingles, and subsequent CSF analysis confirms zoster meningitis.
Documentation should include signs and symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, fever, and any rash.Neurological exam findings, cerebrospinal fluid analysis results, and any imaging results (CT or MRI) are crucial.A history of chickenpox or shingles should also be noted.
- Specialties:Infectious Disease, Neurology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, On Campus-Outpatient Hospital, Office