M46.23
BillableOsteomyelitis of vertebra, cervicothoracic region
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 92 — Bone/Joint/Muscle Infections/Necrosis
0.209V24HCC 39 — Bone/Joint/Muscle Infections/Necrosis
0.482ESRDHCC 39 — Bone/Joint/Muscle Infections/Necrosis
0.000What This Code Means
A bone infection (osteomyelitis) affecting the vertebrae in the neck and upper back region where the cervical and thoracic spine meet.
Coding Tips
- •Verify the specific vertebral level documented and confirm this is the cervicothoracic region before assigning this code
- •Ensure documentation supports pyogenic (bacterial) infection; if organism is identified, consider adding an additional code for the specific pathogen
Clinical Significance
Osteomyelitis at the cervicothoracic junction is a complex infection requiring multidisciplinary management due to anatomical complexity and risk of complications. This location poses unique challenges for surgical access and treatment planning.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Documentation of bone infection at cervicothoracic junction
- ✓Specific identification of involvement spanning cervical-thoracic transition
- ✓Imaging studies showing infection across C7-T1 region
- ✓Clinical presentation consistent with transitional spine osteomyelitis
- ✓Laboratory confirmation of infectious process
- ✓Neurological assessment for cord compression or radiculopathy
- ✓Documentation of treatment approach and antimicrobial selection
- ✓Assessment of structural integrity and stability
Commonly Confused Codes
M4622 — Cervical osteomyelitis affects only cervical vertebraeM4624 — Thoracic osteomyelitis affects only thoracic vertebraeM46.33 — Cervicothoracic disc infection affects disc space, not boneM48.02 — Spinal stenosis at cervicothoracic junction is not infectiousM54.2 — Cervicalgia is pain symptom, not bone infection
Code Hierarchy
└M46Other inflammatory spondylopathies└M46.2Osteomyelitis of vertebra└M46.23Osteomyelitis of vertebra, cervicothoracic region
└M46.23Osteomyelitis of vertebra, cervicothoracic region