Q44.3

Billable

Congenital stenosis and stricture of bile ducts

HCC Category Mapping

V28HCC 68 — Cholangitis and Biliary Cirrhosis

0.000

What This Code Means

A birth defect where the bile ducts are abnormally narrowed or constricted, restricting bile flow.

Coding Tips

•Stenosis indicates narrowing while stricture indicates scarring; both are included in this code
•Differentiate from atresia (Q44.2) which represents complete closure

Clinical Significance

Congenital bile duct stenosis represents a structural narrowing that can lead to progressive liver disease and complications similar to biliary atresia, though typically less severe. These patients require ongoing hepatology monitoring and may need surgical intervention, making accurate diagnosis important for appropriate management and prognosis assessment.

Documentation Requirements

✓Degree and location of bile duct narrowing/stricture
✓Radiological evidence of stenosis (MRCP, ERCP findings)
✓Associated liver function abnormalities
✓Presence or absence of jaundice
✓Surgical or interventional procedures performed
✓Response to treatment and current functional status
✓Differentiation from acquired strictures

Commonly Confused Codes

Q44.2 — Complete atresia (absence) rather than narrowing K83.1 — Acquired bile duct obstruction or stricture K87 — Disorders of gallbladder and bile ducts in diseases classified elsewhere Q44.1 — Other congenital malformations of liver

Code Hierarchy

└Q44Congenital malformations of gallbladder, bile ducts and liver └Q44.3Congenital stenosis and stricture of bile ducts

└Q44.3Congenital stenosis and stricture of bile ducts