Stridor

Stridor is a high-pitched, harsh, vibratory sound produced by turbulent airflow through a partially obstructed airway, typically heard during inspiration. It indicates a narrowing of the upper respiratory tract, such as the larynx or trachea, and can be a sign of a serious underlying condition.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states "stridor" as a symptom or finding. This code is appropriate for acquired stridor in adults and children, often associated with conditions like epiglottitis, foreign body aspiration, or vocal cord paralysis. Documentation should clearly indicate the presence of this respiratory sound.

• Do not code this if the stridor is documented as congenital laryngeal stridor or laryngismus stridulus, as these have specific exclusion codes.
• Always code the underlying cause of the stridor first, if known and documented, as stridor is a symptom.
• Ensure documentation differentiates stridor from wheezing or stertor, which are distinct respiratory sounds with different clinical implications.