Syphilis of lung and bronchus

This code signifies a diagnosis of late syphilis affecting the pulmonary system, specifically the lungs and bronchi. It represents a manifestation of tertiary syphilis where the spirochete Treponema pallidum has caused inflammatory and destructive lesions within the respiratory tract. This can lead to various pulmonary symptoms and structural changes.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of syphilis involving the lung parenchyma or bronchial tree, typically in the late or tertiary stage. Supporting documentation should include positive serological tests for syphilis and evidence of pulmonary involvement, such as imaging findings (e.g., infiltrates, nodules, or gummas) or biopsy results consistent with syphilitic lung disease.

• Ensure documentation specifies "syphilis" and not just a generic lung infection, as other infectious agents can cause similar pulmonary findings.
• Always sequence this code after the primary syphilis code (A50.-) if the patient is still being treated for the initial infection, or as the primary diagnosis if the pulmonary involvement is the focus of the encounter.
• Distinguish from congenital syphilis affecting the lungs (P90.0), which is a separate and distinct condition.