Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Question: What diagnosis code can we report for numb chin syndrome?

Florida Subscriber

Answer: You report ICD-9 code 351.8 (Other facial nerve disorders) for sensory neuropathy of the face. Numb chin syndrome (NCS) is a pure sensory neuropathy which manifests as unilateral hypoesthesia, paresthesia, or pain over the chin. NCS, also known as mental neuropathy, is a clinically important finding, as it may be the primary manifestation of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or sign of systemic malignancy.