Foster-Kennedy syndrome, bilateral

This code describes Foster-Kennedy syndrome affecting both eyes. This rare neurological condition is characterized by optic atrophy in one eye and papilledema in the contralateral eye, typically caused by a frontal lobe tumor compressing the optic nerve.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates bilateral Foster-Kennedy syndrome, meaning the characteristic optic atrophy and papilledema are present, even if the primary cause (e.g., tumor) is not yet fully diagnosed or is coded separately. This code is appropriate for cases where the syndrome's ocular manifestations are the focus of the encounter.

• Ensure documentation specifies "bilateral" involvement; otherwise, a unilateral code may be more appropriate.
• Always code the underlying cause (e.g., frontal lobe tumor, meningioma) first, if known and actively treated, as it is the etiology of the syndrome.
• Distinguish from other causes of optic atrophy or papilledema that do not present with the classic Foster-Kennedy syndrome pattern.