ICD-10 Code G93.6 – Cerebral edema (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code G93.6 – Cerebral edema
What it is
Cerebral edema means swelling of the brain tissue. It can increase pressure inside the skull and may occur after injury, stroke, infection, or other brain disorders.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Common findings may include headache, altered mental status, nausea, vomiting, seizures, or focal neurologic deficits when swelling affects brain function.
When to use this code
Use G93.6 when the provider documents cerebral edema or brain swelling as a diagnosis. It may also apply when imaging or clinical assessment confirms edema related to a neurological condition. Code the documented underlying cause when available, and do not assume the edema is incidental.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for generalized body edema or fluid retention elsewhere in the body. Check documentation if the record describes only increased intracranial pressure without explicit cerebral edema.
Coding tip
Assign the underlying neurologic condition first when documented, and code G93.6 only when cerebral edema is specifically stated.