Central pain syndrome

This code identifies a chronic neuropathic pain condition originating from a lesion or dysfunction within the central nervous system, such as the brain or spinal cord. Patients typically experience constant, severe, and often burning or aching pain, which may be accompanied by dysesthesia or allodynia.

Assign this code when documentation explicitly states "central pain syndrome" or describes chronic pain directly attributable to a central nervous system injury or disease (e.g., post-stroke pain, spinal cord injury pain, multiple sclerosis-related pain). Ensure the pain is not peripheral in origin.

• Always code the underlying central nervous system condition first, if known, as the primary diagnosis.
• Distinguish from peripheral neuropathic pain; this code specifically indicates a central origin.
• Look for documentation of neurological examination findings and imaging results supporting a central lesion.