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
Hydrocephalus
Abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.
Congenital malformations of brain
Includes congenital hydrocephalus and other brain malformations.
Nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage
Bleeding within the skull, sometimes causing hydrocephalus.
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?
When to use each related code
Description |
---|
Excess cerebrospinal fluid in brain |
Normal pressure hydrocephalus |
Congenital hydrocephalus |
Coding hydrocephalus without specifying congenital/acquired or communicating/obstructive leads to inaccurate severity and reimbursement.
Coding symptoms (e.g., headaches, gait disturbance) instead of the underlying hydrocephalus diagnosis misses case complexity and data integrity.
Failure to capture procedures like shunt placement or endoscopic third ventriculostomy with hydrocephalus understates resource utilization and severity.
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.