ICD-10 Code J04.11 – Acute tracheitis with obstruction (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J04.11 – Acute tracheitis with obstruction
What it is
J04.11 identifies an acute inflammation of the trachea with airway obstruction. Use it when the record clearly states acute tracheitis and notes that the airway is obstructed.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include cough, hoarseness, stridor, and respiratory distress related to tracheal inflammation. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation for the specific obstructive findings.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents acute tracheitis with obstruction, whether the obstruction is partial or significant enough to be clinically noted. It may appear in emergency, inpatient, or specialist documentation. If the record only says tracheitis without obstruction, check documentation before assigning J04.11.
Do not use for
Do not use J04.11 for chronic tracheitis, isolated laryngitis, or lower-airway diseases such as bronchitis. If the obstruction is not documented, or the diagnosis is uncertain, check documentation.
Coding tip
Assign J04.11 only when both acute tracheitis and obstruction are explicitly documented.