G36.1
BillableAcute and subacute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis [Hurst]
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 198 — Multiple Sclerosis
0.000V24HCC 77 — Multiple Sclerosis
0.476ESRDHCC 77 — Multiple Sclerosis
0.000What This Code Means
A severe, rapidly developing brain inflammation characterized by bleeding and destruction of the protective coating around nerve fibers, often following infection or vaccination.
Coding Tips
- •This is a medical emergency; ensure acute onset and hemorrhagic features are documented
- •Look for preceding infection or vaccination history in the clinical record to support diagnosis
Clinical Significance
Acute and subacute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (Hurst disease) is a rare, severe, often fatal form of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis characterized by rapid brain inflammation with hemorrhagic necrosis. It typically follows an infection or vaccination and represents a neurological emergency. Accurate coding captures the severity and acuity of this life-threatening condition.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Documentation specifying acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis or Hurst disease
- ✓Neuroimaging (MRI/CT) showing hemorrhagic demyelinating lesions
- ✓Acute onset with rapid neurological deterioration documented in the timeline
- ✓Preceding infection or vaccination history within days to weeks of onset
- ✓Cerebrospinal fluid analysis results if lumbar puncture was performed
- ✓Intensive care management documentation and treatment plan
Commonly Confused Codes
G36.9 — Acute disseminated demyelination, unspecified; does not capture the hemorrhagic componentG04.00/G04.01 — Acute disseminated encephalitis; non-hemorrhagic form of the same spectrumG36.0 — Neuromyelitis optica; different pathophysiology and clinical courseI61.x — Nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage; vascular etiology, not inflammatory/demyelinatingG36.8 — Other specified acute disseminated demyelination; use for non-hemorrhagic acute disseminated conditions
Code Hierarchy
└G36Other acute disseminated demyelination└G36.1Acute and subacute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis [Hurst]
└G36.1Acute and subacute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis [Hurst]