ICD-10 Code A18.01 – Tuberculosis of spine (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A18.01 – Tuberculosis of spine
What it is
A18.01 identifies tuberculosis infection involving the spine, also called spinal or vertebral tuberculosis. Use it when the record shows Mycobacterium tuberculosis affecting spinal bones or adjacent structures.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Common findings may include back pain, spinal tenderness, deformity, or neurologic symptoms when the infection compresses nearby structures.
When to use this code
Use A18.01 when the provider documents spinal tuberculosis, tuberculous spondylitis, or vertebral TB. It fits confirmed disease of the spine, whether active or described as involving spinal structures. Check documentation for site specificity and any additional tuberculosis codes needed.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for nonspecific back pain, degenerative spine disease, or tuberculosis limited to another site. Check documentation if the chart only says “TB” without spinal involvement.
Coding tip
Confirm that the spine is explicitly named in the diagnosis before assigning A18.01.