Calculus of kidney and ureter (N20)
ICD-10 code N20 covers the diagnosis of stones, also called calculi, found in the kidney and ureter. These codes specify the exact location and type of urinary calculi, providing critical detail for medical coding and patient treatment, including N20.0 for kidney stones, N20.1 for ureter stones, N20.2 when stones are in both kidney and ureter, and N20.9 for unspecified urinary stones.
These codes are essential when documenting patients with conditions such as recurrent kidney stones, staghorn calculi, or ureteric stones, helping differentiate between stones in the kidney (like calcium oxalate or uric acid calculi) and those blocking the ureter, which can cause obstruction. For example, common terms like "kidney stone," "ureteric stone," or "Steinstrasse" correspond to N20.0 and N20.1. The category also recognizes combined stones in both sites (N20.2) and cases where the exact location or type is not known (N20.9). This specificity supports accurate ICD-10 coding for urology and nephrology care, ensuring clear identification of "ICD-10 code for kidney stone" or "ureter stone."
Instructional Notations
Inclusion Terms
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
- Calculous pyelonephritis
Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
Clinical Terms
The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.
Urolithiasis
Formation of stones in any part of the URINARY TRACT, usually in the KIDNEY; URINARY BLADDER; or the URETER.
