2025 ICD-10-CM code G08
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Inflammatory diseases - Inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system Diseases of the nervous system Feed
Intracranial and intraspinal phlebitis and thrombophlebitis.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the encounter and the specific services provided. Consult the official coding guidelines for modifier usage with this code.
Medical necessity for the diagnosis and treatment of intracranial and intraspinal phlebitis and thrombophlebitis is established by the presence of clinical symptoms (e.g., headache, fever, neurological deficits), laboratory findings confirming infection (e.g., positive blood or CSF cultures), and imaging studies demonstrating venous thrombosis. Treatment is necessary to prevent potentially life-threatening complications such as brain abscess, meningitis, or death.
Diagnosis and treatment of intracranial and intraspinal phlebitis and thrombophlebitis involve a multidisciplinary approach, including neurological examination, ordering and interpreting laboratory tests (e.g., blood cultures, CSF analysis), obtaining and interpreting imaging studies (e.g., CT, MRI), administering intravenous antibiotics, and potentially surgical intervention (e.g., sinus drainage). Post-treatment rehabilitation may also be necessary, involving physical and occupational therapy.
In simple words: This condition is an inflammation of the veins or blood vessels in the brain and spine, often due to a blood clot, injury, or infection.Symptoms can range from headache and fever to more serious problems like numbness, vision problems, or paralysis. Doctors diagnose it using tests like a spinal tap, blood tests, and brain scans. Treatment usually involves antibiotics and possibly surgery.
Intracranial and intraspinal phlebitis and thrombophlebitis refers to inflammation of veins or venous sinuses within the skull and spine, often caused by blood clots, injury, or infection.It can also be termed septic embolism, endophlebitis, phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, or thrombosis of intracranial or intraspinal venous sinuses and veins.Symptoms may include headache, fever, instability, lethargy, numbness, vision blurring, loss of bowel/bladder control, neck/back pain, coordination problems, sensory loss, and potentially paralysis. Diagnosis involves patient history, physical and neurological examinations, lumbar puncture for CSF analysis, ESR/CRP testing, blood/CSF cultures, and imaging (air contrast sinus studies, MRI, CT scan with contrast, carotid angiography, orbital venography). Treatment includes intravenous antibiotics and potentially surgery to drain sinuses and mastoid spaces. Anticoagulation is generally not recommended, except possibly heparin for septic cavernous sinus thrombosis. Physical and occupational therapy may be needed for recovery.
Example 1: A 55-year-old patient presents with severe headache, fever, and altered mental status.Imaging reveals a thrombosis in the superior sagittal sinus. Blood cultures grow Staphylococcus aureus.The diagnosis of septic intracranial thrombophlebitis is made, and the patient receives intravenous antibiotics and surgical drainage of infected sinuses., A 30-year-old patient with a history of sinusitis develops worsening headache, double vision, and cranial nerve palsies.MRI shows thrombosis of the cavernous sinus.The diagnosis of septic cavernous sinus thrombosis is made, and the patient is treated with intravenous antibiotics and heparin., A 70-year-old patient who recently underwent spinal surgery develops fever, back pain, and neurological deficits. Imaging demonstrates spinal epidural abscess with involvement of the adjacent venous plexus.This case is coded as septic intraspinal thrombophlebitis requiring intravenous antibiotics and surgical debridement.
Complete patient history, physical examination findings (including neurological exam), results of laboratory tests (blood cultures, CSF analysis, ESR, CRP), imaging studies (CT, MRI, angiography), details of surgical intervention if performed, and documentation of antibiotic administration and response to therapy.
** This code encompasses a range of conditions involving venous inflammation and thrombosis within the central nervous system.Careful documentation is crucial for appropriate coding.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Neurology, Neurosurgery, Infectious Disease
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital