Unspecified renal colic

This code represents acute, severe flank pain or abdominal pain attributed to the urinary tract, specifically the kidney or ureter, without a definitive diagnosis of the underlying cause. It indicates a clinical presentation suggestive of kidney stone passage or obstruction, but the specific etiology (e.g., calculus, stricture) has not yet been identified or confirmed.

Use this code when documentation clearly states "renal colic" but lacks further specificity regarding the cause, such as "renal calculus" or "ureteral obstruction." This is appropriate for initial presentations in the emergency department or urgent care settings where diagnostic workup is pending or incomplete.

• Do not use this code if a more specific diagnosis, such as nephrolithiasis (N20.0) or ureterolithiasis (N20.1), is documented.
• Always query the provider for greater specificity if the documentation allows, especially after diagnostic imaging.
• This code is often used as a provisional diagnosis; if a definitive cause is later identified, update the diagnosis accordingly.