2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D44.4Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of craniopharyngeal duct
ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›D37-D48›D44
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
D44.4 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for neoplasm of uncertain behavior of craniopharyngeal duct. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 643 through 645. Coders also document this condition as craniopharyngioma. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Neoplasms of unspecified nature or uncertain behavior.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Craniopharyngioma
- Neoplasm of craniopharyngeal duct
- Neoplasm of pituitary and suprasellar region
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of craniopharyngeal duct
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of endocrine glands and nervous system
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pituitary gland
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
- Craniopharyngioma - D44.4
External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance
References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.
- Craniopharyngioma
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Clinical InformationClinical
Craniopharyngioma
a benign pituitary-region neoplasm that originates from rathke's pouch. the two major histologic and clinical subtypes are adamantinous (or classical) craniopharyngioma and papillary craniopharyngioma. the adamantinous form presents in children and adolescents as an expanding cystic lesion in the pituitary region. the cystic cavity is filled with a black viscous substance and histologically the tumor is composed of adamantinomatous epithelium and areas of calcification and necrosis. papillary craniopharyngiomas occur in adults, and histologically feature a squamous epithelium with papillations. (from joynt, clinical neurology, 1998, ch14, p50)
Table of NeoplasmsClinical
Patient EducationClinical
Pituitary Disorders
Your pituitary gland is a pea-sized gland at the base of your brain. The pituitary is the "master control gland" - it makes hormones that affect growth and the functions of other glands in the body.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert D44.4 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About D44.4Overview
Is D44.4 (Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of endocrine glands) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report neoplasm of uncertain behavior of craniopharyngeal duct on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does D44.4 group to?
When neoplasm of uncertain behavior of craniopharyngeal duct is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 643, 644, 645, with relative weights from 0.7683 to 1.6461 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of D44.4?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, neoplasm of uncertain behavior of craniopharyngeal duct converts to ICD-9-CM 237.0 (unc behav neo pituitary). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
Footnotes
[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.
