Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: What is the diagnosis code for acute onset quadriplegia with C4-C6 fractures?

Maryland Subscriber

Answer: You would likely report ICD code 806.06 (Closed fracture of C5-C7 level with complete lesion of cord). If the cord injury was C4 or higher, you would report ICD code 806.01 (Closed fracture of C1-C4 level with complete lesion of cord). You should confirm the spinal cord level of injury, as it may not match with the bony injury.