Encephalitis and encephalomyelitis in diseases classd elswhr

This code signifies inflammation of the brain and spinal cord that arises as a manifestation of another underlying disease process. It indicates a secondary form of encephalitis or encephalomyelitis, where the primary etiology is classified elsewhere in the ICD-10-CM system.

Use this code when documentation clearly links encephalitis or encephalomyelitis to a specific primary disease, such as a systemic infection, autoimmune disorder, or neoplastic process. The medical record must identify both the neurological inflammation and the causal underlying condition.

• Always sequence the underlying disease first, followed by this code to accurately reflect the etiology.
• Avoid using this code for primary or idiopathic encephalitis/encephalomyelitis; those conditions have specific codes (e.g., G04.-).
• Ensure the documentation explicitly states the relationship between the underlying disease and the encephalitis/encephalomyelitis (e.g., "encephalitis due to measles," "encephalomyelitis secondary to lupus").