Osteomyelitis of vertebra, cervical region

This code signifies an infection of the vertebral bone in the neck region. It involves inflammation and destruction of the bone marrow and surrounding bone tissue within the cervical spine. This condition can be acute or chronic and may be caused by bacterial, fungal, or other microbial pathogens.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates osteomyelitis specifically affecting any cervical vertebra (C1-C7). Supporting documentation should include diagnostic imaging (e.g., MRI, CT scan) confirming bone infection in the cervical spine, along with clinical findings such as fever, neck pain, and elevated inflammatory markers.

• Always specify the exact vertebral region when coding osteomyelitis; avoid unspecified codes if the cervical region is documented.
• Code the underlying infectious organism (e.g., bacterial, fungal) as an additional diagnosis if known and documented.
• Differentiate from discitis or spondylodiscitis, which primarily involve the intervertebral disc, though they can co-occur.