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G91.9
ICD-10-CM
Hydrocephalus

Understanding hydrocephalus diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis requires accurate clinical documentation and medical coding. This resource provides information on hydrocephalus ICD-10 codes, CSF flow, ventricular shunt procedures, and common signs and symptoms like increased intracranial pressure, headache, and cognitive impairment. Learn about the different types of hydrocephalus including normal pressure hydrocephalus, congenital hydrocephalus, and communicating hydrocephalus, and find resources for healthcare professionals focused on effective patient care.

Also known as

Water on the brain
Ventriculomegaly

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Buildup of fluid in the brain, enlarging ventricles and putting pressure on the brain.
  • Clinical Signs : Headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, balance problems, cognitive impairment.
  • Common Settings : Neurosurgery clinics, neurology departments, pediatric hospitals, rehabilitation centers.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC G91.9 Coding
G91

Hydrocephalus

Abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.

Q03

Congenital malformations of brain

Includes congenital hydrocephalus and other brain malformations.

I67

Nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage

Bleeding within the skull, sometimes causing hydrocephalus.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Is the hydrocephalus congenital?

  • Yes

    Is it due to aqueductal stenosis?

  • No

    Is it obstructive?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Excess cerebrospinal fluid in brain
Normal pressure hydrocephalus
Congenital hydrocephalus

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Hydrocephalus diagnosis code (e.g., ICD-10 G91.x)
  • Head circumference measurements/percentile
  • Imaging findings (CT/MRI) confirming ventricular dilation
  • Symptoms/signs: e.g., headache, vomiting, papilledema
  • Treatment plan: e.g., shunt placement, medication

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Type

    Coding hydrocephalus without specifying congenital/acquired or communicating/obstructive leads to inaccurate severity and reimbursement.

  • Symptom Coding

    Coding symptoms (e.g., headaches, gait disturbance) instead of the underlying hydrocephalus diagnosis misses case complexity and data integrity.

  • Missing Procedure Codes

    Failure to capture procedures like shunt placement or endoscopic third ventriculostomy with hydrocephalus understates resource utilization and severity.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document head circumference percentiles for infants.
  • Code specific hydrocephalus type (obstructive, communicating).
  • Image studies (CT/MRI) crucial for diagnosis confirmation.
  • Clearly link symptoms (e.g., vomiting, headache) to hydrocephalus.
  • Regular CSF pressure monitoring if shunted.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Verify head circumference increase (infant) or enlarged head (adult)
  • Confirm ventriculomegaly via imaging (CT/MRI brain)
  • Assess for signs/symptoms: headache, vomiting, altered mental status
  • Evaluate intracranial pressure (ICP) if indicated
  • Document etiology: congenital, acquired, communicating, non-communicating

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Hydrocephalus reimbursement hinges on accurate coding (ICD-10 G91.x, CPT 62223-62258) reflecting shunt procedures, EVD placement, endoscopic third ventriculostomy, impacting hospital case mix index.
  • Coding errors for hydrocephalus (e.g., missing complications like infection, subdural hematoma) reduce reimbursement, impacting hospital revenue cycle.
  • Quality metrics like infection rates, shunt revisions, and length of stay tied to hydrocephalus influence value-based purchasing and public reporting.
  • Accurate documentation of hydrocephalus severity, etiology (congenital, acquired), and treatment response is crucial for appropriate reimbursement and quality reporting.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes for . Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code underlying etiology
  • Document head size/ICP
  • Specify communicating/obstructive
  • Use G91.x for normopressure
  • Check 7th character for encounter

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with signs and symptoms suggestive of hydrocephalus.  Clinical presentation includes [Insert specific symptoms e.g., headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, gait disturbance, urinary incontinence, cognitive impairment].  Onset of symptoms was [Insert onset timeframe e.g., gradual, acute, subacute] and reported as [Insert characterization of symptoms e.g., progressively worsening, intermittent, constant].  Neurological examination revealed [Insert specific findings e.g., papilledema, sixth nerve palsy, altered mental status, positive Babinski sign].  Head circumference measurement is [Insert measurement if applicable, especially in pediatric cases].  Differential diagnosis includes [Insert relevant differential diagnoses e.g., brain tumor, intracranial hemorrhage, meningitis].  Diagnostic imaging, including [Insert imaging modality e.g., CT scan of the brain, MRI of the brain], demonstrates [Insert specific imaging findings e.g., ventricular enlargement, dilated ventricles, effacement of sulci, evidence of obstruction].  Based on these findings, a diagnosis of [Insert specific type of hydrocephalus e.g., communicating hydrocephalus, non-communicating hydrocephalus, normal pressure hydrocephalus] is made.  Treatment plan includes [Insert planned treatment e.g., neurosurgical consultation for possible shunt placement, endoscopic third ventriculostomy, medical management for symptom control].  Patient education provided regarding the condition, treatment options, potential risks, and benefits.  Follow-up scheduled for [Insert timeframe e.g., one week, two weeks] to monitor symptoms and assess treatment response.  ICD-10 code [Insert appropriate ICD-10 code e.g., N11.0, N11.9] is assigned.  CPT codes for procedures will be documented upon completion.
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