Gangosa

This code represents gangosa, a severe, mutilating nasopharyngeal destruction primarily associated with late-stage yaws. It involves extensive ulceration and tissue loss of the nose, palate, and pharynx, leading to significant facial disfigurement. It is a chronic, progressive condition resulting from untreated Treponema pallidum pertenue infection.

This code is used when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of gangosa, often in patients with a history of yaws or living in endemic areas. The clinical picture typically involves characteristic destructive lesions of the midface. Supporting documentation would include physician notes detailing the specific anatomical involvement and the progressive nature of the tissue destruction.

• Ensure documentation specifies "gangosa" and not just general yaws, as this code is highly specific to the destructive manifestation.
• Consider co-coding with other manifestations of yaws (e.g., bone lesions, skin lesions) if present and documented.
• This is a legacy ICD-9-CM code; for current coding, refer to the appropriate ICD-10-CM code for gangosa (A66.6).