Acute disseminated encephalitis and encephalomyelitis, unsp

This code represents an acute inflammatory demyelinating disease of the brain and spinal cord, often triggered by an infection or vaccination. It involves widespread inflammation affecting the white matter, leading to neurological deficits.

Use this code when documentation specifies acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) without further detail regarding the specific infectious agent or cause. It is appropriate for initial encounters or when the etiology remains unknown.

• Do not use if a specific infectious agent (e.g., viral, bacterial) is identified and can be coded more precisely.
• Consider sequencing this code as the primary diagnosis when ADEM is the reason for the encounter.
• Review documentation for any preceding infections or vaccinations that might provide a more specific diagnosis.