Unspecified bulbous urethral stricture, male

This code describes an uncharacterized narrowing of the bulbous portion of the male urethra. This stricture impedes urine flow and can lead to symptoms such as weak stream, dysuria, and urinary retention. The "unspecified" nature indicates that the cause or specific characteristics of the stricture are not documented.

Use this code when documentation confirms a urethral stricture located in the bulbous urethra of a male patient, but the specific etiology (e.g., traumatic, infectious, iatrogenic) is not identified. This code is appropriate when the physician's notes indicate a diagnosis of "bulbous urethral stricture, unspecified" or similar phrasing without further detail.

• Avoid using this code if the cause of the stricture is known; instead, select a more specific code from the N35.0-N35.8 series.
• Ensure the documentation clearly specifies "bulbous" to differentiate from other urethral segments.
• Query the provider for more specific information regarding the stricture's etiology if available, to allow for more precise coding.