Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Mind Alternate Terms on Dystonia Dx

Question: Encounter notes indicate that a patient suffers from “familial dystonia, idiopathic.” How should I choose a diagnosis code for this patient?

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Answer: Without any further information, it looks like the correct code for this encounter would be G24.1 (Genetic torsion dystonia). While the descriptor does not match your notes, the alternate terms for G24.1 include an option that does line up. The alternate terms are:

  • Dystonia deformans progressive
  • Dystonia musculorum deformans
  • Familial torsion dystonia
  • Idiopathic familial dystonia
  • Idiopathic (torsion) dystonia NOS
  • (Schwalbe-) Ziehen-Oppenheim disease.