Leakage of ventricular intracranial shunt, subs

This code signifies a complication where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is escaping from a ventricular intracranial shunt system, which is used to drain excess CSF from the brain. This leakage can occur at various points along the shunt, such as the catheter, valve, or reservoir, and indicates a failure in the integrity of the device.

This code is appropriate for encounters where a patient is being treated for a previously identified or ongoing leakage of their ventricular intracranial shunt. This includes follow-up visits for monitoring, diagnostic work-up, or management of the leakage after initial treatment or diagnosis. It is used when the patient is no longer in the initial acute phase of treatment for the leakage.

• Always assign an additional code to specify the underlying condition requiring the shunt (e.g., hydrocephalus).
• Ensure the "D" seventh character is appropriate for a subsequent encounter, indicating ongoing care for the complication.
• Distinguish from initial encounter ("A") or sequela ("S") for the same complication.