M46.51

Billable

Other infective spondylopathies, occipito-atlanto-axial region

HCC Category Mapping

V24HCC 40 — Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Connective Tissue Disease

0.307

ESRDHCC 40 — Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Connective Tissue Disease

0.000

What This Code Means

Other types of spine infections affecting the upper neck region where the skull connects to the spine (occipito-atlanto-axial region).

Coding Tips

•This anatomical region is complex; ensure documentation specifies involvement of the occipital, atlas (C1), or axis (C2) vertebrae
•These infections can be serious due to proximity to vital structures; verify clinical severity is documented

Clinical Significance

Non-pyogenic infections of the occipito-atlanto-axial region are extremely rare but potentially devastating due to proximity to brainstem and critical neurovascular structures. These infections often occur in immunocompromised patients and require specialized diagnostic and treatment approaches.

Documentation Requirements

✓Specific occipito-atlanto-axial location
✓Non-bacterial infectious etiology (fungal, viral, etc.)
✓Advanced neuroimaging findings
✓Immunocompromised status documentation
✓CSF analysis results if performed
✓Specialized culture or molecular diagnostic results
✓Neurological monitoring requirements
✓Response to targeted antimicrobial therapy

Commonly Confused Codes

M46.31 — Pyogenic disc infection same region when bacterial M46.50 — Site unspecified when location is documented G93.1 — Anoxic brain damage when complications occur B49 — Unspecified mycosis when fungal etiology primary

Code Hierarchy

└M46Other inflammatory spondylopathies └M46.5Other infective spondylopathies └M46.51Other infective spondylopathies, occipito-atlanto-axial region

└M46.51Other infective spondylopathies, occipito-atlanto-axial region