Other specified forms of late symptomatic syphilis

This code signifies a diagnosis of late-stage syphilis presenting with symptoms not specifically categorized elsewhere. It encompasses manifestations of tertiary syphilis affecting various organ systems, excluding neurosyphilis, cardiovascular syphilis, and asymptomatic late syphilis. These symptoms arise years after the initial infection if left untreated.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates symptomatic late syphilis that doesn't fit into more specific categories like tabes dorsalis or syphilitic aneurysm. This code is appropriate when the physician explicitly diagnoses "late symptomatic syphilis, other specified" or describes tertiary syphilis manifestations such as gummas of the skin, bone, or viscera, or late latent syphilis with active, but unclassified, symptoms.

• Ensure documentation specifies "late" and "symptomatic" to differentiate from early or latent forms.
• Avoid using this code if a more specific ICD-9 code for a particular late syphilitic manifestation (e.g., neurosyphilis, cardiovascular syphilis) is available.
• Always review the entire medical record for definitive diagnostic statements and supporting clinical findings.