Pleurodynia

This code represents non-specific chest wall pain, often muscular in origin, that is not attributable to a cardiac, pulmonary, or gastrointestinal cause. It is characterized by localized pain in the intercostal muscles or diaphragm, frequently exacerbated by movement, coughing, or deep breathing.

Assign this code when documentation indicates pleuritic-type chest pain without an identified infectious etiology or other specific diagnosis. It is appropriate for cases of idiopathic intercostal myalgia or chest wall pain where epidemic pleurodynia has been ruled out.

• Do not code this with B33.0 (epidemic pleurodynia) as per Excludes1 note.
• Ensure documentation clearly states the pain is not due to cardiac, pulmonary, or gastrointestinal conditions.
• Consider sequencing this code after any definitive underlying cause if identified (e.g., musculoskeletal injury).