M46.34

Billable

Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), thoracic region

HCC Category Mapping

V28HCC 92 — Bone/Joint/Muscle Infections/Necrosis

0.209

V24HCC 39 — Bone/Joint/Muscle Infections/Necrosis

0.482

ESRDHCC 39 — Bone/Joint/Muscle Infections/Necrosis

0.000

What This Code Means

A bacterial infection of the disc between vertebrae in the mid-back (thoracic spine), causing inflammation and potential damage to the disc tissue.

Coding Tips

•Verify the causative organism if documented; pyogenic typically indicates bacterial infection
•Ensure thoracic region is confirmed; do not confuse with cervical or lumbar locations

Clinical Significance

Thoracic discitis requires careful management due to the rigid thoracic cage anatomy and proximity to vital organs. While neurological complications may be less frequent than cervical infections, the condition still requires aggressive antibiotic therapy and monitoring for systemic complications.

Documentation Requirements

✓Thoracic spine location specification (T1-T12)
✓Bacterial etiology confirmation through cultures
✓Imaging evidence of thoracic disc space infection
✓Assessment for thoracic kyphosis or gibbus deformity
✓Pulmonary function evaluation if indicated
✓Laboratory infection markers trending
✓Duration of antibiotic therapy and response
✓Any associated paravertebral abscess

Commonly Confused Codes

M46.35 — Thoracolumbar region when infection at T12-L1 junction M46.54 — Other infective spondylopathies, thoracic when non-pyogenic M51.34 — Thoracic disc degeneration when degenerative process M49.84 — Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere when secondary

Code Hierarchy

└M46Other inflammatory spondylopathies └M46.3Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic)└M46.34Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), thoracic region

└M46.34Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), thoracic region