Non-specific code 2015 ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 320
Bacterial meningitis
  • 2015
  • Non-Billable Code

  • There are 7 ICD-9-CM codes below 320 that define this diagnosis in greater detail. Do not use this code on a reimbursement claim.
Clinical Information
  • Bacterial infections of the leptomeninges and subarachnoid space, frequently involving the cerebral cortex, cranial nerves, cerebral blood vessels, spinal cord and nerve roots; causative organism varies with age and clinical status (eg, postoperative, immunodeficient, posttraumatic states); clinical manifestations include the acute onset of fever, stiff neck, altered mentation, seizures, and focal neurologic deficits; death may occur within 24 hours of disease onset; pathologic features include a purulent exudate in the subarachnoid space, and diffuse inflammation of neural and vascular structures
  • Bacterial infections of the leptomeninges and subarachnoid space, frequently involving the cerebral cortex, cranial nerves, cerebral blood vessels, spinal cord, and nerve roots
  • Bacterial infections of the nervous system caused by haemophilus organisms, and marked by prominent inflammation of the meninges. Haemophilus influenzae type b is the most common causative organism. The condition primarily affects children under 6 years of age but may occur in adults. Clinical manifestations include fever; nuchal rigidity; photophobia; seizures; hearing loss, sensorineural; coma; and cerebrovascular thrombosis. The organism tends to enter the central nervous system following infections of adjacent structures, including the middle ear (see also otitis media), sinuses, and pharynx. (from menkes, textbook of child neurology, 5th ed, pp396-7)
320 Includes
  • arachnoiditis bacterial
  • leptomeningitis bacterial
  • meningitis bacterial
  • meningoencephalitis bacterial
  • meningomyelitis bacterial
  • pachymeningitis bacterial
ICD-9-CM codes are used in medical billing and coding to describe diseases, injuries, symptoms and conditions. ICD-9-CM 320 is one of thousands of ICD-9-CM codes used in healthcare. Although ICD-9-CM and CPT codes are largely numeric, they differ in that CPT codes describe medical procedures and services. Can't find a code? Start at the root of ICD-9-CM, check the 2015 ICD-9-CM Index or use the search engine at the top of this page to lookup any code.