A52.04

What This Code Means

This is an infection of the brain's blood vessels caused by syphilis, which can lead to inflammation and potentially restrict blood flow to the brain. It's a serious complication that occurs when untreated syphilis spreads to the nervous system.

Coding Tips

• •This code is part of the neurosyphilis category and should only be used when syphilis has specifically affected cerebral arteries; verify documentation confirms arteritis rather than other forms of neurosyphilis
• •Ensure the underlying syphilis diagnosis is also coded separately (typically A50-A53 range depending on stage) as this code represents a specific manifestation of systemic syphilis