Basilar artery syndrome

This code represents a collection of neurological symptoms resulting from insufficient blood flow to the brainstem and cerebellum, supplied by the basilar artery. It typically manifests as a constellation of signs such as vertigo, ataxia, diplopia, dysarthria, and sometimes motor or sensory deficits.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states "basilar artery syndrome" or describes a clinical presentation consistent with vertebrobasilar insufficiency affecting the basilar artery. Supporting documentation should detail the neurological deficits and their attribution to basilar artery compromise.

• Ensure documentation clearly links the symptoms to basilar artery involvement, not just general cerebrovascular disease.
• Distinguish from other forms of cerebrovascular insufficiency; this code is specific to the basilar artery.
• Consider sequencing this code as a primary diagnosis when it is the main reason for the encounter, or as a secondary diagnosis when it is a co-morbidity.