Epileptic spasms, intractable, without status epilepticus

This code describes a severe form of epilepsy characterized by brief, sudden contractions of the head, trunk, and extremities, often occurring in clusters. The term "intractable" indicates that the seizures are refractory to conventional antiepileptic drug therapy. This specific code excludes cases where the patient is experiencing status epilepticus.

Assign this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of epileptic spasms that are resistant to treatment. This code is appropriate for patients whose seizures persist despite adequate trials of multiple antiepileptic medications. Documentation should explicitly state "intractable" or "refractory" and confirm the absence of status epilepticus.

• Differentiate from other seizure types; "epileptic spasms" is a specific clinical entity, often seen in infancy or early childhood.
• Ensure documentation explicitly states "intractable" and "without status epilepticus" to support this specific code.
• Consider sequencing this code as a primary diagnosis when it is the focus of the encounter, especially for treatment or management of the intractable spasms.