Obstructive and reflux uropathy, unspecified N13. 9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM N13. 9 became effective on October 1, 2021.
Obstructive uropathy is a condition in which the flow of urine is blocked. This causes the urine to back up and injure one or both kidneys.
Obstructive uropathy occurs when urine cannot drain through the urinary tract. Urine backs up into the kidney and causes it to become swollen. This condition is known as hydronephrosis. Obstructive uropathy can affect one or both kidneys. It can occur suddenly, or be a long-term problem.
Obstructive uropathy is when your urine can't flow (either partially or completely) through your ureter, bladder, or urethra due to some type of obstruction. Instead of flowing from your kidneys to your bladder, urine flows backward, or refluxes, into your kidneys.
Obstructive uropathy is usually unilateral but if it is bilateral, it may lead to anuria. In the first acute phase of obstruction (1-2 first hours), the only difference between unilateral and bilateral obstruction is between the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the renal blood flow (RBF) [2].
Unilateral obstructive uropathy is most often caused by a kidney stone, although injury or other conditions could cause the disorder. When urine flow is blocked, it backs up into the kidney. This leads to kidney swelling, also called hydronephrosis.
Pathophysiology of Obstructive Uropathy Pathologic findings consist of dilation of the collecting ducts and distal tubules and chronic tubular atrophy with little glomerular damage.