Specific code 2015 ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 446.5
Giant cell arteritis
  • 2015
  • Billable Thru Sept 30/2015
  • Non-Billable On/After Oct 1/2015

  • ICD-9-CM 446.5 is a billable medical code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis on a reimbursement claim, however, 446.5 should only be used for claims with a date of service on or before September 30, 2015. For claims with a date of service on or after October 1, 2015, use an equivalent ICD-10-CM code (or codes).
Convert to ICD-10-CM: 446.5 converts approximately to:
  • 2015/16 ICD-10-CM M31.6 Other giant cell arteritis
Approximate Synonyms
  • GIANT CELL ARTERITIS
  • Giant cell arteritis w polymyalgia rheumatica
  • Giant cell arteritis with polymyalgia rheumatica
Clinical Information
  • A systemic autoimmune disorder that typically affects medium and large arteries, usually leading to occlusive granulomatous vasculitis with transmural infiltrate containing multinucleated giant cells. The temporal artery is commonly involved. This disorder appears primarily in people over the age of 50. Symptoms include fever; fatigue; headache; visual impairment; pain in the jaw and tongue; and aggravation of pain by cold temperatures. (from Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed)
  • Giant cell arteritis is a disorder that causes inflammation of arteries of the scalp, neck, and arms. The inflammation narrows the arteries, which keeps blood from flowing well. Giant cell arteritis often occurs with another disorder called polymyalgia rheumatica. Both disorders are more common in women than in men. They almost always affect people over the age of 50.early symptoms of giant cell arteritis resemble the flu: fatigue, loss of appetite, and fever. Other symptoms include headaches, pain and tenderness over the temples, double vision or visual loss, dizziness, and problems with coordination and balance. You may also have pain in your jaw and tongue.your doctor will make the diagnosis based on your medical history, symptoms, and physical examination. There is no single test to diagnose giant cell arteritis, but you may have tests that measure inflammation.treatment is usually with corticosteroids. Early treatment is important; otherwise there is a risk of permanent vision loss or stroke. However, when properly treated, giant cell arteritis rarely comes back. nih: national institute of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases
  • Subacute, granulomatous arteritis involving the external carotid arteries, especially the temporal artery; occurs in elderly persons and may be manifested by constitutional symptoms, particularly severe headache, and sometimes sudden unilateral blindness; shares many of the symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica
Applies To
  • Cranial arteritis
  • Horton's disease
  • Temporal arteritis
ICD-9-CM Volume 2 Index entries containing back-references to 446.5:
  • Anarthritic rheumatoid disease 446.5
  • Arteritis 447.6
    • cranial (left) (right) 446.5
    • giant cell 446.5
    • temporal 446.5
  • Bagratuni's syndrome (temporal arteritis) 446.5
  • Disease, diseased - see also Syndrome
    • anarthritic rheumatoid 446.5
    • Horton's (temporal arteritis) 446.5
  • Horton's
    • disease (temporal arteritis) 446.5
  • Polymyalgia 725
    • arteritica 446.5
  • Rhizomelique, pseudopolyarthritic 446.5
  • Syndrome - see also Disease
    • Bagratuni's (temporal arteritis) 446.5
ICD-9-CM codes are used in medical billing and coding to describe diseases, injuries, symptoms and conditions. ICD-9-CM 446.5 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.