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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesR83

R83

Abnormal findings in cerebrospinal fluid

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/11/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 R83 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of abnormal findings in cerebrospinal fluid.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Abnormal findings in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can indicate a variety of underlying conditions affecting the central nervous system. These findings may include elevated protein levels, abnormal cell counts, presence of bacteria or viruses, and altered glucose levels. Symptoms associated with abnormal CSF findings can range from headaches, fever, and neck stiffness to more severe neurological deficits depending on the underlying cause. Common causes of abnormal CSF findings include infections such as meningitis, inflammatory diseases like multiple sclerosis, and malignancies. The diagnostic approach typically involves lumbar puncture to collect CSF for analysis, followed by laboratory tests to identify specific abnormalities. Clinicians must interpret these findings in the context of the patient's clinical presentation and history to arrive at a diagnosis. Accurate coding of R83 requires thorough documentation of the clinical findings and the specific tests performed, as well as the clinical significance of the abnormal results.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variety of potential underlying conditions
  • Need for precise documentation of CSF analysis results
  • Differentiation from other neurological codes
  • Interpretation of laboratory findings in clinical context

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of clinical findings
  • Failure to specify the type of abnormality in CSF
  • Misinterpretation of laboratory results
  • Inconsistent coding with clinical diagnosis

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Internal Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed clinical history, results of CSF analysis, and correlation with symptoms.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with neurological symptoms such as headaches, altered mental status, or signs of infection.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all relevant clinical findings and laboratory results are documented to support the diagnosis.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Acute care notes, including vital signs, neurological assessments, and immediate lab results.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients with acute onset of severe headache, fever, or neurological deficits requiring urgent evaluation.

Billing Considerations

Document the urgency of the situation and any immediate interventions performed.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use R83 When
  • Follow official ICD
  • 10 coding guidelines, ensuring that the code is used only when there is clear documentation of abnormal findings in CSF and that these findings are not classified elsewhere

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use R83 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related Codes

Child Codes

9 codes
R83.0
Abnormal level of enzymes in cerebrospinal fluid
R83.1
Abnormal level of hormones in cerebrospinal fluid
R83.2
Abnormal level of other drugs, medicaments and biological substances in cerebrospinal fluid
R83.3
Abnormal level of substances chiefly nonmedicinal as to source in cerebrospinal fluid
R83.4
Abnormal immunological findings in cerebrospinal fluid
R83.5
Abnormal microbiological findings in cerebrospinal fluid
R83.6
Abnormal cytological findings in cerebrospinal fluid
R83.8
Other abnormal findings in cerebrospinal fluid
R83.9
Unspecified abnormal finding in cerebrospinal fluid

Related CPT Codes

62270CPT Code

Lumbar puncture

Clinical Scenario

Used to obtain CSF for analysis in cases of suspected meningitis or other CNS disorders.

Documentation Requirements

Document indication for lumbar puncture, technique used, and any complications.

Specialty Considerations

Ensure that the procedure is justified based on clinical findings.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of abnormal findings in cerebrospinal fluid, improving the granularity of data for epidemiological studies and clinical research.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of abnormal findings in cerebrospinal fluid, improving the granularity of data for epidemiological studies and clinical research.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of abnormal findings in cerebrospinal fluid, improving the granularity of data for epidemiological studies and clinical research.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the common causes of abnormal findings in cerebrospinal fluid?

Common causes include infections (like meningitis), inflammatory diseases (such as multiple sclerosis), and malignancies affecting the central nervous system.