Acquired stenosis of left external ear canal, unspecified

This code describes a narrowing or obstruction of the external auditory canal of the left ear that developed after birth. This acquired stenosis can result from various causes, including inflammation, trauma, infection, or tumors, leading to symptoms like hearing loss or ear fullness.

Assign this code when documentation specifies an acquired, non-congenital narrowing of the left external ear canal without further detail regarding the specific cause or type of stenosis. Supporting documentation would include physician notes detailing the laterality (left ear) and the acquired nature of the stenosis, often identified during otoscopic examination.

• Always specify laterality (left, right, bilateral) when documented; avoid unspecified laterality codes if more detail is available.
• If the cause of the stenosis is known (e.g., post-inflammatory, post-traumatic), a more specific code from the H61.3 subcategory should be used.
• Do not confuse with congenital stenosis (Q16.1) or impacted cerumen (H61.2-), which are distinct conditions.