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2025 ICD-10-CM code T17.5

Foreign body in bronchus.

Use additional code from Chapter 20 (External causes of morbidity) to indicate the cause of the injury. If applicable, use an additional code (Z18.-) to identify any retained foreign body. Do not use T17.5 for a foreign body entering other parts of the respiratory tract, such as the nose, pharynx, larynx, or trachea. These are coded with distinct codes under category T17.

Medical necessity for the management of a foreign body in the bronchus is established by the presence of respiratory symptoms, airway obstruction, or the risk of complications such as infection or pneumonia.

Physicians who diagnose and treat foreign body aspiration into the bronchus, such as pulmonologists, emergency medicine physicians, or otolaryngologists (ENTs), are responsible for accurately documenting the presence and location of the foreign body, any associated complications (e.g., airway obstruction, infection), and the chosen treatment approach.

In simple words: A foreign object is stuck in the airways of the lungs.

The presence of a foreign object lodged within one or more bronchi of the respiratory tract.

Example 1: A 3-year-old child presents to the emergency room after choking on a small toy. Imaging reveals a plastic toy piece lodged in the right main bronchus., A 65-year-old patient with a history of stroke experiences coughing fits and shortness of breath. Bronchoscopy identifies a piece of food obstructing a lower lobe bronchus., A farmer accidentally inhales a seed while working in the field. He experiences persistent cough and wheezing, and T17.5 is used upon discovery of the seed in the bronchus during an X-Ray.

Documentation should include details of the foreign body (size, material, location), the patient's symptoms, imaging results confirming the presence and location of the foreign body, and any procedures performed for removal or management. Additional codes may be necessary to specify the type of foreign body (e.g., a bean, a coin, part of a toy) or any associated complications.

** For cases where the foreign body is in other parts of the respiratory tract, refer to the other codes in block T17: T17.0 (nasal sinus), T17.1 (nostril), T17.2 (pharynx), T17.3 (larynx), T17.4 (trachea), T17.8 (other/multiple parts).Use additional code W44.- if the foreign body is known to have entered through a natural orifice.

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