Late syphilis (A52)
ICD-10 code A52 covers various forms of late syphilis, a chronic stage of the infection that can affect multiple organ systems. These codes are essential for classifying the complications arising from untreated or inadequately treated syphilis occurring months or years after initial infection.
The ICD-10 code for late syphilis includes detailed subcategories identifying specific cardiovascular problems like syphilitic aneurysm (A52.01) and aortitis (A52.02), as well as diverse neurological conditions under symptomatic neurosyphilis (A52.1), such as tabes dorsalis (A52.11) and general paresis (A52.17). The section also distinguishes late syphilitic involvement of organs like lung (A52.72), liver (A52.74), kidney (A52.75), and the eye (A52.71). For coders, using exact codes like A52.03 for syphilitic endocarditis or A52.79 for other symptomatic late syphilis helps pinpoint the manifestation, facilitating accurate documentation and treatment. This specificity is vital for identifying late syphilis conditions such as cerebral arteritis, neuropathy, or musculoskeletal involvement, guiding proper clinical management and reporting.
Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00–B99)
Infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission (A50-A64)
A52 Late syphilis
A52.0 Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular syphilis
- A52.00 Cardiovascular syphilis, unspecified
- A52.01 Syphilitic aneurysm of aorta
- A52.02 Syphilitic aortitis
- A52.03 Syphilitic endocarditis
- A52.04 Syphilitic cerebral arteritis
- A52.05 Other cerebrovascular syphilis
- A52.06 Other syphilitic heart involvement
- A52.09 Other cardiovascular syphilis
A52.1 Symptomatic neurosyphilis
- A52.10 Symptomatic neurosyphilis, unspecified
- A52.11 Tabes dorsalis
- A52.12 Other cerebrospinal syphilis
- A52.13 Late syphilitic meningitis
- A52.14 Late syphilitic encephalitis
- A52.15 Late syphilitic neuropathy
- A52.16 Charcot's arthropathy (tabetic)
- A52.17 General paresis
- A52.19 Other symptomatic neurosyphilis
- A52.2 Asymptomatic neurosyphilis
- A52.3 Neurosyphilis, unspecified
A52.7 Other symptomatic late syphilis
- A52.71 Late syphilitic oculopathy
- A52.72 Syphilis of lung and bronchus
- A52.73 Symptomatic late syphilis of other respiratory organs
- A52.74 Syphilis of liver and other viscera
- A52.75 Syphilis of kidney and ureter
- A52.76 Other genitourinary symptomatic late syphilis
- A52.77 Syphilis of bone and joint
- A52.78 Syphilis of other musculoskeletal tissue
- A52.79 Other symptomatic late syphilis
- A52.8 Late syphilis, latent
- A52.9 Late syphilis, unspecified
Late syphilis (A52)
Clinical Terms
The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.
Neurosyphilis
Infections of the central nervous system caused by TREPONEMA PALLIDUM which present with a variety of clinical syndromes. The initial phase of infection usually causes a mild or asymptomatic meningeal reaction. The meningovascular form may present acutely as BRAIN INFARCTION. The infection may also remain subclinical for several years. Late syndromes include general paresis; TABES DORSALIS; meningeal syphilis; syphilitic OPTIC ATROPHY; and spinal syphilis. General paresis is characterized by progressive DEMENTIA; DYSARTHRIA; TREMOR; MYOCLONUS; SEIZURES; and Argyll-Robertson pupils. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp722-8)
Tabes Dorsalis
Parenchymatous NEUROSYPHILIS marked by slowly progressive degeneration of the posterior columns, posterior roots, and ganglia of the spinal cord. The condition tends to present 15 to 20 years after the initial infection and is characterized by lightening-like pains in the lower extremities, URINARY INCONTINENCE; ATAXIA; severely impaired position and vibratory sense, abnormal gait (see GAIT DISORDERS, NEUROLOGIC), OPTIC ATROPHY; Argyll-Robertson pupils, hypotonia, hyperreflexia, and trophic joint degeneration (Charcot's Joint; see ARTHROPATHY, NEUROGENIC). (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p726)
