Discitis, unspecified, cervicothoracic region

This code signifies inflammation of an intervertebral disc and adjacent vertebral bodies, without further specification of the causative agent, located in the cervicothoracic spinal region. It represents a non-specific inflammatory process affecting the disc space between the cervical and thoracic vertebrae.

Apply this code when documentation indicates discitis affecting the cervicothoracic spine, but the specific etiology (e.g., infectious, sterile) is not yet determined or documented. This is appropriate for initial encounters or when the physician has not specified the type of discitis.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies the cervicothoracic region; otherwise, use a more general discitis code or a code for a different spinal region.
• If the discitis is later identified as infectious, a more specific code (e.g., M46.23 for infectious discitis) should be used instead.
• Do not use this code if the documentation specifies a different spinal region (e.g., cervical, thoracic, lumbar).