M54.81 Occipital neuralgia

Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026.

Applies from M54 Dorsalgia

Excludes1 (never code together)

• psychogenic dorsalgia (F45.41)

Applies from M54.8 Other dorsalgia

Excludes1 (never code together)

• dorsalgia in thoracic region (M54.6)
• low back pain (M54.5-)

MS-DRG index

Defines the logic of DRG(s) 551-552 in MDC 08.

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• 723.8 Other syndromes affecting cervical region (approximate)

Code annotations containing back-references to M54.81

Back-references to M54

• Type 1 Excludes: G55 Nerve root and plexus compressions in diseases classified elsewhere ("nerve root compression (due to) (in) dorsopathies (M53.-, M54.-)")
• Type 2 Excludes: G89 Pain, not elsewhere classified ("spine pain (M54.-)")
• Type 2 Excludes: R10 Abdominal and pelvic pain ("dorsalgia (M54.-)")
• Type 1 Excludes: R52 Pain, unspecified ("spine pain (M54.-)")

Diagnosis Index entries for M54.81

• Neuralgia, neuralgic (acute) › occipital

Nearby codes

• M54.50 Low back pain, unspecified
• M54.51 Vertebrogenic low back pain
• M54.59 Other low back pain
• M54.6 Pain in thoracic spine
• M54.8 Other dorsalgia
• M54.81 Occipital neuralgia (this code)
• M54.89 Other dorsalgia
• M54.9 Dorsalgia, unspecified