Varicella myelitis

This code represents inflammation of the spinal cord (myelitis) caused by the varicella-zoster virus, commonly known as chickenpox. It is a rare but serious neurological complication that can occur during or after a primary varicella infection.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states varicella as the etiology of myelitis. This typically occurs in patients presenting with acute or subacute neurological deficits referable to the spinal cord, following a recent or concurrent chickenpox infection.

• Ensure documentation clearly links the myelitis to a varicella infection.
• Do not confuse with postherpetic myelitis, which would be coded differently.
• Consider sequencing this code as the primary diagnosis if it is the reason for the encounter.