Name of the Condition

• Unspecified anterior urethral stricture, male
• Medical term: Urethral stricture

Summary

• Urethral stricture refers to a narrowing of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. In males, an anterior urethral stricture affects the front part of the urethra.

Causes

• The condition can be caused by injury, infection, or inflammation of the urethra. Other causes may include surgery, catheterization, or previous trauma.

Risk Factors

• Risk factors include a history of sexually transmitted infections, previous urethral surgeries, trauma in the pelvic area, and chronic catheter use.

Symptoms

• Symptoms may include difficulty urinating, a weak urine stream, frequent urination, urinary urgency, and discomfort or pain during urination.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination, uroflowmetry (to measure urine flow), imaging tests like a retrograde urethrogram, and cystoscopy (a visual examination of the urethra).

Treatment Options

• Treatment may include urethral dilation, endoscopic urethrotomy, or surgical urethroplasty. Each treatment addresses the stricture by either stretching the urethra, removing the narrowed segment, or reconstructing the urethra.

Prognosis and Follow-Up

• With appropriate treatment, patients can experience significant symptom relief. Regular follow-up is crucial to monitor for recurrence of the stricture.

Complications

• Possible complications include urinary tract infections, bladder damage, and kidney problems due to obstructed urine flow.

Lifestyle & Prevention

• Preventive measures include practicing safe sex to reduce the risk of infections, proper care when using catheters, and avoiding traumatic injuries to the pelvic area.

When to Seek Professional Help

• Seek immediate medical attention if experiencing severe difficulty urinating, blood in urine, or signs of a urinary tract infection such as fever and back pain.

Additional Resources

• American Urological Association: www.auanet.org
• National Kidney Foundation: www.kidney.org

Tips for Medical Coders

• Ensure the specificity of the code is appropriate for anterior urethral stricture, male, following the ICD code N35.914.
• Avoid assuming a specific cause or location beyond what is documented in the medical record.