Calculus of bile duct with acute cholangitis w/o obstruction

This code signifies the presence of gallstones within the bile ducts, specifically complicated by acute inflammation of the bile ducts (cholangitis), but without any evidence of blockage or obstruction of the bile flow. It describes an active inflammatory process in the biliary tree caused by calculi.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates choledocholithiasis (bile duct stones) alongside acute cholangitis, and imaging or clinical findings confirm the absence of biliary obstruction. This typically applies to patients presenting with fever, jaundice, and right upper quadrant pain, where stones are identified in the common bile duct but no complete blockage is noted.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "without obstruction" to differentiate from codes indicating obstruction.
• Do not use this code if the cholangitis is chronic or if there is no mention of bile duct calculi.
• Consider sequencing this code after any underlying conditions that may have led to the choledocholithiasis, if applicable.