2025 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code G91
Hydrocephalus
- ICD-10-CM Code:
- G91
- ICD-10 Code for:
- Hydrocephalus
- Is Billable?
- Not Valid for Submission
- Code Navigator:
G91 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of hydrocephalus. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2025 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.
Specific Coding Applicable to Hydrocephalus
Non-specific codes like G91 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for hydrocephalus:
Use G91.0 for Communicating hydrocephalus - BILLABLE CODE
Use G91.1 for Obstructive hydrocephalus - BILLABLE CODE
Use G91.2 for (Idiopathic) normal pressure hydrocephalus - BILLABLE CODE
Use G91.3 for Post-traumatic hydrocephalus, unspecified - BILLABLE CODE
Use G91.4 for Hydrocephalus in diseases classified elsewhere - BILLABLE CODE
Use G91.8 for Other hydrocephalus - BILLABLE CODE
Use G91.9 for Hydrocephalus, unspecified - BILLABLE CODE
Clinical Information
Dandy-Walker Syndrome
a congenital abnormality of the central nervous system marked by failure of the midline structures of the cerebellum to develop, dilation of the fourth ventricle, and upward displacement of the transverse sinuses, tentorium, and torcula. clinical features include occipital bossing, progressive head enlargement, bulging of anterior fontanelle, papilledema, ataxia, gait disturbances, nystagmus, and intellectual compromise. (from menkes, textbook of child neurology, 5th ed, pp294-5)Hydrocephalus
excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the cranium which may be associated with dilation of cerebral ventricles, intracranial hypertension; headache; lethargy; urinary incontinence; and ataxia.Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure
a form of compensated hydrocephalus characterized clinically by a slowly progressive gait disorder (see gait disorders, neurologic), progressive intellectual decline, and urinary incontinence. spinal fluid pressure tends to be in the high normal range. this condition may result from processes which interfere with the absorption of csf including subarachnoid hemorrhage, chronic meningitis, and other conditions. (from adams et al., principles of neurology, 6th ed, pp631-3)Walker-Warburg Syndrome
rare autosomal recessive lissencephaly type 2 associated with congenital muscular dystrophy and eye anomalies (e.g., retinal detachment; cataract; microphthalmos). it is often associated with additional brain malformations such as hydrocephaly and cerebellar hypoplasia and is the most severe form of the group of related syndromes (alpha-dystroglycanopathies) with common congenital abnormalities in the brain, eye and muscle development.
Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.
Includes
IncludesThis note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
- acquired hydrocephalus
Type 1 Excludes
Type 1 ExcludesA type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
Patient Education
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is the buildup of too much cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Normally, this fluid cushions your brain. When you have too much, though, it puts harmful pressure on your brain.
Hydrocephalus can be congenital, or present at birth. Causes include genetic problems and problems with how the fetus develops. An unusually large head is the main sign of congenital hydrocephalus.
Hydrocephalus can also happen after birth. This is called acquired hydrocephalus. It can occur at any age. Causes can include head injuries, strokes, infections, tumors, and bleeding in the brain. Symptoms include:
- Headache
- Vomiting and nausea
- Blurry vision
- Balance problems
- Bladder control problems
- Thinking and memory problems
Hydrocephalus can permanently damage the brain, causing problems with physical and mental development. If untreated, it is usually fatal. With treatment, many people lead normal lives with few limitations. Treatment usually involves surgery to insert a shunt. A shunt is a flexible but sturdy plastic tube. The shunt moves the cerebrospinal fluid to another area of the body where it can be absorbed. Medicine and rehabilitation therapy can also help.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
[Learn More in MedlinePlus]
Code History
- FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
- FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
- FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
- FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
- FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
- FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
- FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
- FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
- FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.
