2025 ICD-10-CM code N13.5
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Diseases of the genitourinary system - Obstructive and reflux uropathy Diseases of the genitourinary system (N00-N99) Feed
Kinking and stricture of the ureter without hydronephrosis.
Modifiers may apply depending on the circumstances of the service, such as the use of imaging guidance or the involvement of multiple physicians.Refer to the current AMA CPT manual for detailed information on modifiers.
Medical necessity is established based on the presence of symptoms directly attributable to the ureteral obstruction (pain, infection, or hydronephrosis if present), along with objective findings from imaging studies confirming the diagnosis.Treatment is deemed medically necessary if conservative management fails, or if significant complications arise.
Urologist or nephrologist
In simple words: This medical code describes a problem where the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder is bent or narrowed, but the kidney itself isn't swollen because of a blockage.
This code signifies the presence of a kink or narrowing (stricture) in the ureter, the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder, without the complication of hydronephrosis (swelling of the kidney due to urine backup).The condition may be caused by various factors, including anatomical variations or previous injury or inflammation.It's crucial to note the absence of hydronephrosis in this specific code.
Example 1: A 55-year-old female presents with intermittent right flank pain and microscopic hematuria. Imaging studies reveal a kink in the right ureter without hydronephrosis. , A 70-year-old male with a history of pelvic surgery experiences recurrent urinary tract infections.Urological workup shows a ureteral stricture causing partial obstruction, but no hydronephrosis., A 30-year-old female undergoing a routine pelvic ultrasound for infertility investigations is found to have a congenital ureteral kink.She is asymptomatic and requires no immediate intervention.
Patient history detailing symptoms (flank pain, urinary frequency, dysuria); physical examination findings;imaging studies (ultrasound, CT scan, intravenous pyelogram) demonstrating the ureteral kink or stricture and absence of hydronephrosis; urinalysis and urine culture results; relevant laboratory data.
** Further investigation may be required to determine the underlying cause of the kink or stricture, and the appropriate management strategy will depend on the severity of the symptoms and the presence of any associated complications. The absence of hydronephrosis is a key differentiating factor from other related codes.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.
- Specialties:Urology, Nephrology
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital (inpatient or outpatient), Ambulatory Surgical Center