Find comprehensive information on skull fracture diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding (ICD-10 codes S02), and healthcare guidelines. Learn about types of skull fractures (linear, depressed, basilar), signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures (CT scan, X-ray), treatment options, and complications. This resource is for healthcare professionals, medical coders, and individuals seeking information on skull fracture management and documentation.
Also known as
Fracture of skull and facial bones
Covers fractures of the skull and facial bones.
Injuries to the head
Includes various head injuries like contusions, lacerations, and fractures.
Intracranial injury
Describes injuries within the skull, often associated with skull fractures.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Open or closed fracture?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Skull Fracture |
| Concussion |
| Cerebral Contusion |
Coding skull fracture without specifying location (e.g., frontal, basal) leads to inaccurate DRG assignment and lost revenue.
Miscoding open vs. closed skull fractures impacts severity, reimbursement, and quality reporting. CDI crucial for accurate documentation.
Growth plate involvement and unique fracture types in children require specific codes. Coding errors lead to compliance risks.
Patient presents with complaints consistent with possible skull fracture. Chief complaint includes [Insert chief complaint e.g., headache, head injury, facial pain, altered mental status, etc.]. Mechanism of injury reported as [Insert mechanism of injury e.g., fall, motor vehicle accident, blunt force trauma, assault, etc.]. On physical examination, notable findings include [Insert positive findings e.g., scalp laceration, tenderness to palpation, ecchymosis, periorbital edema, Battle sign, raccoon eyes, cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea or otorrhea, neurological deficits, etc.]. Negative findings include [Insert pertinent negatives e.g., no loss of consciousness, no nausea or vomiting, no focal neurological deficits, etc.]. Differential diagnosis includes skull fracture, concussion, intracranial hemorrhage, contusion, scalp laceration. Imaging studies ordered include [Insert ordered imaging studies e.g., skull x-ray, CT scan of the head, CT scan of the face, etc.]. Preliminary diagnosis of [Insert type of skull fracture if known e.g., linear skull fracture, depressed skull fracture, basilar skull fracture, etc.] is suspected based on clinical presentation and mechanism of injury. Patient is stable and alert, oriented to person, place, and time. Neurological exam reveals [Insert detailed neurological findings e.g., Glasgow Coma Scale score, cranial nerve assessment, motor strength, sensory exam, deep tendon reflexes, etc.]. Treatment plan includes [Insert treatment plan e.g., pain management, observation, neurosurgical consultation, admission for monitoring, antibiotics for CSF leak, surgical intervention if indicated, etc.]. Patient education provided regarding signs and symptoms of complications such as intracranial bleeding, infection, and neurological deficits. Follow-up care with [Specialty e.g., neurosurgery, primary care physician] scheduled in [Timeframe]. ICD-10 code S02. Further evaluation and management pending imaging results and clinical course.