Injury to superficial nerves of head and neck

This code signifies damage to the outermost nerve fibers located in the head and neck region. These injuries typically involve sensory nerves, leading to symptoms such as localized pain, numbness, tingling, or altered sensation without significant motor deficits. It describes trauma affecting nerves close to the skin surface, often from blunt force, lacerations, or compression.

Use this code for documented injuries to superficial cranial nerves (e.g., supraorbital, infraorbital, mental nerves) or cervical cutaneous nerves (e.g., greater auricular, supraclavicular nerves). This applies when the injury is clearly described as superficial and does not involve deeper nerve structures or the central nervous system. Documentation should specify the nerve affected and the superficial nature of the injury.

• Differentiate from deeper nerve injuries or nerve root involvement, which would require more specific codes.
• Ensure documentation specifies "superficial" or describes the injury as affecting cutaneous nerves of the head/neck.
• Do not use for nerve entrapment syndromes without a clear traumatic injury component.