Vertebro-basilar artery syndrome

This code represents a collection of symptoms arising from transient ischemia in the posterior circulation of the brain, supplied by the vertebral and basilar arteries. It typically manifests as temporary neurological deficits such as dizziness, vertigo, diplopia, ataxia, and dysarthria, without evidence of permanent infarction. These symptoms are often triggered by head movements or changes in posture.

Use this code for patients presenting with transient neurological symptoms referable to the vertebrobasilar arterial system, where imaging studies (e.g., MRI, MRA) may show evidence of arterial stenosis or occlusion, but no acute infarction. Documentation should clearly describe the transient nature of the symptoms and their correlation with posterior circulation involvement.

• Differentiate from transient ischemic attack (TIA) of the carotid system; symptoms must be specific to the posterior circulation.
• Do not use if there is evidence of acute cerebral infarction; instead, code to the appropriate cerebral infarction code.
• Consider sequencing with codes for underlying conditions contributing to the syndrome, such as atherosclerosis or cervical spondylosis.