ICD-10 Code A17.81 – Tuberculoma of brain and spinal cord (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A17.81 – Tuberculoma of brain and spinal cord
What it is
A17.81 identifies a tuberculous mass lesion in the brain or spinal cord. Use it when documentation shows tuberculoma affecting the central nervous system, not a general tuberculosis diagnosis.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly, records describe focal neurologic deficits, seizures, headache, or spinal cord compression, along with imaging or pathology supporting tuberculoma.
When to use this code
Use A17.81 when the provider documents tuberculoma of the brain or spinal cord, whether confirmed by imaging, biopsy, or clinical assessment. It also fits cases described as a tuberculous granuloma in these sites. If the chart only says CNS tuberculosis without a mass lesion, check documentation.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for pulmonary tuberculosis, meningitis, or other extrapulmonary TB without a documented tuberculoma. If the lesion is not specified as brain or spinal cord involvement, check documentation.
Coding tip
Verify the site and wording in the note; “tuberculoma” must be documented to support A17.81.