ICD10BillableValid for clinical use

ICD-10 Code M46.35: Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), thoracolumbar region

M46.35 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), thoracolumbar region 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 musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99).

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 musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99).

When is it used?

  • May be used when a clinician documents infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), thoracolumbar region 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
13Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99)
block
M40-M54Dorsopathies
block
M45-M49Spondylopathies
category
M46Other inflammatory spondylopathies
category
M46.3Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic)
currentM46.3

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

Orthopedic SpecialistRheumatologistInfectious Disease Specialist

Coverage-related procedures and services

CPT 22558high
ARTHRODESIS, ANTERIOR INTERBODY TECHNIQUE, INCLUDING MINIMAL DISCECTOMY TO PREPARE INTERSPACE (OTHER THAN FOR DECOMPRESSION); LUMBAR
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 22633high
ARTHRODESIS, COMBINED POSTERIOR OR POSTEROLATERAL TECHNIQUE WITH POSTERIOR INTERBODY TECHNIQUE INCLUDING LAMINECTOMY AND/OR DISCECTOMY SUFFICIENT TO PREPARE INTERSPACE (OTHER THAN FOR DECOMPRESSION), SINGLE INTERSPACE, LUMBAR;
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 22533high
ARTHRODESIS, LATERAL EXTRACAVITARY TECHNIQUE, INCLUDING MINIMAL DISCECTOMY TO PREPARE INTERSPACE (OTHER THAN FOR DECOMPRESSION); LUMBAR
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 22630high
ARTHRODESIS, POSTERIOR INTERBODY TECHNIQUE, INCLUDING LAMINECTOMY AND/OR DISCECTOMY TO PREPARE INTERSPACE (OTHER THAN FOR DECOMPRESSION), SINGLE INTERSPACE, LUMBAR;
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 22612high
ARTHRODESIS, POSTERIOR OR POSTEROLATERAL TECHNIQUE, SINGLE INTERSPACE; LUMBAR (WITH LATERAL TRANSVERSE TECHNIQUE, WHEN PERFORMED)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
HCPCS A9585high
INJECTION, GADOBUTROL, 0.1 ML
Source: CMS coverage guidance

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy and official ICD code match exactly.
Legacy codes
M46.35

Common synonyms

Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), thoracolumbar regionInfection of intervertebral discInfection of intervertebral disc pyogenic, thoracolumbar region

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeM46.35
SystemICD10
Display nameInfection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), thoracolumbar region
ChapterDiseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99)
BlockSpondylopathies

Flags

BillableYes
Valid clinical useYes

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

Index terms

Matched terms
Infection, infected, infective(opportunistic)

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.

ICD-10 Code M46.35 for Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), thoracolumbar region | HealthAssure