ICD-10 Code I77.74 – Dissection of vertebral artery (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code I77.74 – Dissection of vertebral artery
What it is
I77.74 identifies a tear in the vertebral artery wall that allows blood to track between vessel layers. This can narrow the artery or form a false channel.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly documented findings include neck pain, headache, posterior circulation neurologic symptoms, or imaging evidence of arterial wall dissection.
When to use this code
Use I77.74 when the provider documents a vertebral artery dissection, whether spontaneous or traumatic, and the diagnosis is confirmed or treated as active. It may also apply when imaging clearly supports the dissection and the clinician records it as the condition being managed.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for nonspecific neck pain, headache, or vertebrobasilar symptoms without documented dissection. Check documentation if the record only mentions carotid dissection or another vascular injury.
Coding tip
Code the dissection only when the vertebral artery is specifically named in the provider’s assessment or imaging report.