ICD-10-CM Code For Other Congenital Malformations Of Face And Neck: Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group Q18 includes congenital malformations of the face and neck such as anomalies of the lips, cheeks, jaw, and related soft tissues, covering structural defects present at birth. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical scenarios involving congenital craniofacial anomalies that may affect feeding, airway, hearing, or cosmetic and functional outcomes, capturing disease severity and anatomic involvement. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM Q18 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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ICD-10-CM Q18: Other Congenital Malformations Of Face And Neck Overview

This group includes congenital malformations affecting the face and neck structures, such as anomalies of the lips, jaws, cheeks, and external ear region. These conditions target craniofacial development and may impact feeding, breathing, hearing, or appearance. Accurate coding is important for complete clinical documentation and supports correct reimbursement and care coordination.

When to Use

Use a code from this group when documenting a congenital malformation of the face or neck identified at birth or during early evaluation that affects structure or function. Assign the specific code reflecting the anatomic location and any associated laterality or severity information when available.

ICD-10-CM Codes

10 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
Q18.0	Sinus, fistula and cyst of branchial cleft
Q18.1	Preauricular sinus and cyst
Q18.2	Other branchial cleft malformations
Q18.3	Webbing of neck
Q18.4	Macrostomia
Q18.5	Microstomia
Q18.6	Macrocheilia
Q18.7	Microcheilia
Q18.8	Other specified congenital malformations of face and neck
Q18.9	Congenital malformation of face and neck, unspecified

DRG Codes

8 rows

DRG Code	Description
154	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCC
155	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CC
156	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC
157	Dental and Oral Diseases with MCC
158	Dental and Oral Diseases with CC
159	Dental and Oral Diseases without CC/MCC
606	Minor Skin Disorders with MCC
607	Minor Skin Disorders without MCC

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A newborn is evaluated in the neonatal unit for an obvious facial cleft involving the upper lip and adjacent facial tissues detected at birth; the infant undergoes feeding assessment and referral to craniofacial surgery for repair planning. A congenital malformation of the face is documented as the primary diagnosis for surgical and multidisciplinary care coordination. Typical codes: Q18.0, Q18.1
An adult presents to otolaryngology clinic with lifelong asymmetric ear and external auditory canal deformity causing recurrent cerumen impaction and conductive hearing issues; imaging confirms an isolated congenital anomaly of the external ear and preauricular area. The provider documents a congenital malformation of the ear/face region as the reason for ongoing ENT evaluation and possible reconstructive options. Typical codes: Q18.2, Q18.3
A pediatric patient with a history of a midline neck mass since infancy develops infection and cellulitis requiring urgent evaluation in the emergency department; the child has a known congenital neck malformation that is now complicated by abscess formation and needs incision and drainage plus antibiotic therapy. The congenital neck anomaly is coded alongside the acute infectious complication to capture the underlying structural cause. Typical codes: Q18.4, Q18.9

ICD-10-CM Code For Congenital Malformations Of Eyelid Lacrimal Apparatus And Orbit: Group Overview

Q11-ANOPHTHALMOS-MICROPHTHALMOS-MACROPHTHALMOS

ICD-10-CM Code For Anophthalmos Microphthalmos And Macrophthalmos: Group Overview

Q13-CONGENITAL-MALFORMATIONS-ANTERIOR-SEGMENT

ICD-10-CM Code For Congenital Malformations Of Anterior Segment Of Eye: Group Overview

Q14-CONGENITAL-MALFORMATIONS-POSTERIOR-EYE

ICD-10-CM Code For Congenital Malformations Of Posterior Segment Of Eye: Group Overview

Q15-OTHER-CONGENITAL-MALFORMATIONS-OF-EYE

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Congenital Malformations Of Eye: Group Overview

Q16-CONGENITAL-MALFORMATIONS-OF-EAR

ICD-10-CM Code For Congenital Malformations Of Ear Causing Impairment Of Hearing: Group Overview

Q17-OTHER-CONGENITAL-MALFORMATIONS-OF-EAR

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Congenital Malformations Of Ear: Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

10 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
Q18.0	Sinus, fistula and cyst of branchial cleft
Q18.1	Preauricular sinus and cyst
Q18.2	Other branchial cleft malformations
Q18.3	Webbing of neck
Q18.4	Macrostomia
Q18.5	Microstomia
Q18.6	Macrocheilia
Q18.7	Microcheilia
Q18.8	Other specified congenital malformations of face and neck
Q18.9	Congenital malformation of face and neck, unspecified

DRG Codes

8 rows

DRG Code	Description
154	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCC
155	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CC
156	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC
157	Dental and Oral Diseases with MCC
158	Dental and Oral Diseases with CC
159	Dental and Oral Diseases without CC/MCC
606	Minor Skin Disorders with MCC
607	Minor Skin Disorders without MCC

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A newborn is evaluated in the neonatal unit for an obvious facial cleft involving the upper lip and adjacent facial tissues detected at birth; the infant undergoes feeding assessment and referral to craniofacial surgery for repair planning. A congenital malformation of the face is documented as the primary diagnosis for surgical and multidisciplinary care coordination. Typical codes: Q18.0, Q18.1
An adult presents to otolaryngology clinic with lifelong asymmetric ear and external auditory canal deformity causing recurrent cerumen impaction and conductive hearing issues; imaging confirms an isolated congenital anomaly of the external ear and preauricular area. The provider documents a congenital malformation of the ear/face region as the reason for ongoing ENT evaluation and possible reconstructive options. Typical codes: Q18.2, Q18.3
A pediatric patient with a history of a midline neck mass since infancy develops infection and cellulitis requiring urgent evaluation in the emergency department; the child has a known congenital neck malformation that is now complicated by abscess formation and needs incision and drainage plus antibiotic therapy. The congenital neck anomaly is coded alongside the acute infectious complication to capture the underlying structural cause. Typical codes: Q18.4, Q18.9

ICD-10-CM Code For Congenital Malformations Of Eyelid Lacrimal Apparatus And Orbit: Group Overview

Q11-ANOPHTHALMOS-MICROPHTHALMOS-MACROPHTHALMOS

ICD-10-CM Code For Anophthalmos Microphthalmos And Macrophthalmos: Group Overview

Q13-CONGENITAL-MALFORMATIONS-ANTERIOR-SEGMENT

ICD-10-CM Code For Congenital Malformations Of Anterior Segment Of Eye: Group Overview

Q14-CONGENITAL-MALFORMATIONS-POSTERIOR-EYE

ICD-10-CM Code For Congenital Malformations Of Posterior Segment Of Eye: Group Overview

Q15-OTHER-CONGENITAL-MALFORMATIONS-OF-EYE

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Congenital Malformations Of Eye: Group Overview

Q16-CONGENITAL-MALFORMATIONS-OF-EAR

ICD-10-CM Code For Congenital Malformations Of Ear Causing Impairment Of Hearing: Group Overview

Q17-OTHER-CONGENITAL-MALFORMATIONS-OF-EAR

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Congenital Malformations Of Ear: Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Congenital Malformations Of Face And Neck: Group Overview

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ICD-10-CM Q18: Other Congenital Malformations Of Face And Neck Overview

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Congenital Malformations Of Face And Neck: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Other Congenital Malformations Of Face And Neck: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM Q18: Other Congenital Malformations Of Face And Neck Overview

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

References

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

References

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Congenital Malformations Of Face And Neck: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Other Congenital Malformations Of Face And Neck: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM Q18: Other Congenital Malformations Of Face And Neck Overview

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Congenital Malformations Of Face And Neck: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Other Congenital Malformations Of Face And Neck: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM Q18: Other Congenital Malformations Of Face And Neck Overview

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

What conditions are included in ICD-10-CM code group `Q18`?

How does accurate coding in `Q18` support reimbursement?

Which specific ICD-10-CM codes are listed under this group?

What clinical impacts of `Q18` conditions are noted for documentation?

Which DRGs are related to `Q18` diagnoses for grouping and payment considerations?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

What conditions are included in ICD-10-CM code group `Q18`?

How does accurate coding in `Q18` support reimbursement?

Which specific ICD-10-CM codes are listed under this group?

What clinical impacts of `Q18` conditions are noted for documentation?

Which DRGs are related to `Q18` diagnoses for grouping and payment considerations?

References