Find information on Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding, ICD-10 codes (G93.2), papilledema, lumbar puncture, CSF pressure, headache, visual disturbances, pulsatile tinnitus, and IIH treatment. Learn about best practices for healthcare professionals regarding Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension diagnosis and management. This resource provides valuable insights for accurate and efficient medical coding and documentation related to IIH.
Also known as
Benign intracranial hypertension
Increased intracranial pressure without a known cause.
Papilledema
Swelling of the optic disc often associated with IIH.
Visual disturbances
Vision changes like blurred or double vision can occur in IIH.
Headache
A common symptom of idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Elevated intracranial pressure, unknown cause |
| Brain tumor causing pressure buildup |
| Obstructed cerebral venous sinus |
IIH lacks unique ICD-10 code. Miscoding with other headache or visual disturbance diagnoses impacts data accuracy and reimbursement.
Papilledema, visual field defects, and obesity are often present. Incomplete coding affects severity and risk adjustment.
LP is essential for diagnosis. Accurate CPT coding and documentation are crucial for proper billing and compliance.
Patient presents with complaints consistent with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), previously known as pseudotumor cerebri. Symptoms include headache, described as pressure-like or throbbing, visual disturbances such as transient visual obscurations, diplopia, or pulsatile tinnitus. Patient denies fever, neck stiffness, or other signs of meningitis or encephalitis. Physical exam reveals papilledema on funduscopic examination, with possible sixth nerve palsy. Neurological examination is otherwise unremarkable. No focal neurological deficits were observed. Body mass index (BMI) is documented and relevant to the assessment of IIH risk factors. Differential diagnosis includes other causes of elevated intracranial pressure such as brain tumor, venous sinus thrombosis, and meningitis, which have been ruled out based on imaging and clinical presentation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and magnetic resonance venography (MRV) were performed to exclude secondary causes of intracranial hypertension and confirm the diagnosis of IIH. Imaging findings show no evidence of mass lesion, ventricular enlargement, or venous sinus thrombosis. Lumbar puncture (LP) revealed elevated opening pressure greater than 250 mmH2O with normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) composition. Based on the Modified Dandy Criteria, the diagnosis of IIH is confirmed. Treatment plan includes acetazolamide for symptom management and intracranial pressure reduction. Weight loss counseling and lifestyle modifications are recommended. The patient will be closely monitored for visual changes with regular ophthalmology follow-up. Further interventions such as optic nerve sheath fenestration or shunting may be considered if medical management fails to control symptoms or prevent vision loss. Patient education provided regarding the importance of medication adherence, follow-up appointments, and potential complications of IIH. ICD-10 code G93.2, Benign intracranial hypertension, is assigned.