Acute Encephalopathy ICD-10-CM Codes

What ICD-10 codes are used for acute encephalopathy?

Acute encephalopathy is characterized by a sudden onset of altered brain function, which can result from various underlying causes. The following are some of the most commonly used ICD-10 codes for acute encephalopathy, along with their clinical descriptions:

• G93.40: Acute encephalopathy, unspecified: This code is utilized when the specific cause of acute brain dysfunction is unknown or not defined. It can include sudden changes in mental status without an identifiable reason.
• G93.41: Acute metabolic encephalopathy: Appropriate for cases of encephalopathy resulting from metabolic disturbances, such as electrolyte imbalances or acid-base disorders. Metabolic factors cause brain dysfunction and are often reversible with proper treatment.
• G93.49: Other acute encephalopathies: This code encompasses various specific causes of acute encephalopathy not classified elsewhere. It includes unique etiologies that might require specialized intervention.
• G92: Toxic Encephalopathy: Reflects acute brain dysfunction caused by exposure to toxins such as chemicals, heavy metals, or abused substances. This condition can occur after exposure to industrial chemicals or ingesting toxic substances.
• G31.83: Metabolic Encephalopathy: Pertains to metabolic causes of encephalopathy without acute specification. It involves various metabolic disorders affecting brain function, including liver or kidney failure.
• G94: Other brain disorders in diseases classified elsewhere: This code is used when encephalopathy is a secondary condition from another disease. It covers a diverse range of diseases that may have encephalopathy as a complication.
• G93.7: Reye's syndrome: A rare disorder that causes swelling in the liver and brain, primarily affecting children and teenagers recovering from a viral infection.
• G05: Encephalitis, myelitis, and encephalomyelitis: Includes acute brain and spinal cord inflammatory processes that can lead to encephalopathy symptoms.

Correctly coding acute encephalopathy requires a nuanced understanding of the patient's symptoms, underlying conditions, and medical history. These codes provide the framework for healthcare providers to diagnose, manage, and monitor acute encephalopathy effectively.

Which acute encephalopathy ICD codes are billable?

• G93.40: Yes
• G93.41: Yes
• G93.49: Yes
• G92: No
• G31.83: Yes‍
• G94: Yes
• G93.7: Yes
• G05: No

Clinical information

Acute hypertensive encephalopathy is a medical emergency marked by sudden altered consciousness, severe headache, seizures, and visual disturbances. It stems from a rapid rise in blood pressure that overwhelms cerebral autoregulation, causing brain damage through edema, especially in posterior brain regions. Prompt initiation of blood pressure management is crucial for controlling symptoms and preventing permanent injury.

Toxic metabolic encephalopathy is a form of encephalopathy that often emerges from metabolic imbalances due to organ failure, medication toxicity, or infection. Symptoms range from delirium to coma. Early medical coding and effective appropriate treatment aimed at correcting underlying systemic issues—such as electrolyte or liver dysfunction—can reverse symptoms and minimize long-term effects like brain damage.

Less common causes of encephalopathy include postictal encephalopathy (following seizure activity) and rare conditions like subacute necrotizing myelitis, which involves inflammatory destruction within the spinal cord and brainstem. These forms present with profound neurologic deficits and require urgent evaluation and control of symptoms through anti‑inflammatory and supportive therapies.

Classification under ICD‑10 aligns these conditions within broader other encephalopathy categories, ensuring accurate medical coding for proper diagnosis and billing. Recognizing when encephalopathy emerges from severe cases of hypertensive, toxic, metabolic, or other etiologies is vital for selecting the correct ICD‑10 codes and initiating appropriate treatment to prevent lasting brain damage.

Synonyms include:

• Acute brain dysfunction
• Sudden-onset encephalopathy
• Acute metabolic brain disorder
• Transient brain syndrome
• Acute confusional state