What does ICD-10 code G97.0 mean?

ICD-10 code G97.0 is the standardized code used for cerebrospinal fluid leak from spinal puncture in medical records and coding systems.

When is ICD-10 code G97.0 used?

Doctors, hospitals, and insurers may use ICD-10 code G97.0 when recording cerebrospinal fluid leak from spinal puncture in a standardized format.

Does ICD-10 code G97.0 confirm a diagnosis?

No. A code helps standardize documentation and claims, but it should not be read as a substitute for a clinician's full assessment.

ICD10BillableValid for clinical use

ICD-10 Code G97.0: Cerebrospinal fluid leak from spinal puncture

Name: ICD-10 Code G97.0: Cerebrospinal fluid leak from spinal puncture
Creator: HealthAssure Clinical Team
Published: 2026-05-26T12:46:38.762Z

G97.0 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Cerebrospinal fluid leak from spinal puncture in medical records and claims. You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records. ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the nervous system (G00-G99).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the nervous system (G00-G99).

When is it used?

May be used when a clinician documents cerebrospinal fluid leak from spinal puncture in a patient's medical record.
May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
This code can be used as a clinically usable diagnosis entry in standardized coding workflows.

What it does not mean

A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.

Code hierarchy

chapter

6Diseases of the nervous system (G00-G99)

block

G89-G99Other disorders of the nervous system

Official coding notes

Code also

any associated diagnoses or complications, such as:
intracranial hypotension following a procedure (G97.83-G97.84)

Where you may see this code

You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records.

Related specialists

NeurologistGeneral Physician

Sibling codes

G97.1Other reaction to spinal and lumbar puncturebillable G97.2Intracranial hypotension following ventricular shuntingbillable G97.3Intraoperative hemorrhage and hematoma of a nervous system organ or structure complicating a procedure G97.4Accidental puncture and laceration of a nervous system organ or structure during a procedure G97.5Postprocedural hemorrhage of a nervous system organ or structure following a procedure G97.6Postprocedural hematoma and seroma of a nervous system organ or structure following a procedure G97.8Other intraoperative and postprocedural complications and disorders of nervous system

Mapped diagnoses and classifications

SNOMED_CT 193064009high

Cerebrospinal fluid leak from spinal puncture

Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map

SNOMED_CT 1259538004high

Leak of cranial cerebrospinal fluid due to and following lumbar puncture

Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy and official ICD code match exactly.

Legacy codes

G97.0

Common synonyms

Cerebrospinal fluid leak from spinal puncture

Frequently asked questions

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.