Contus/lac/hem brainstem w LOC of unsp duration, sequela

This code signifies the long-term effects or complications arising from a past traumatic injury to the brainstem, specifically involving contusion, laceration, and hemorrhage, where the initial injury was accompanied by a loss of consciousness of unknown duration. It indicates that the patient is now experiencing residual symptoms or conditions directly attributable to that prior brainstem trauma.

Use this code when documenting a patient presenting with persistent neurological deficits or complications (e.g., cranial nerve palsies, autonomic dysfunction, motor weakness) that are a direct result of a previously sustained brainstem injury involving contusion, laceration, and hemorrhage with an unspecified duration of loss of consciousness. The patient's current encounter is for the management of these chronic sequelae, not the acute injury itself.

• Requires a seventh character "S" to indicate sequela, meaning the patient is seen for the residual effects of the injury.
• Do not use for the initial acute injury; instead, refer to the acute injury codes (e.g., S06.38- with appropriate seventh character for initial or subsequent encounter).
• Always sequence this code after the code(s) identifying the specific sequela being treated (e.g., dysphagia, ataxia).