2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Q18.1Preauricular sinus and cyst

ICD-10-CM Codes›Q00-Q99›Q10-Q18›Q18

ICD-10-CM Q18.1
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

Q18.1 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for preauricular sinus and cyst. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 154 through 156. The code is exempt from POA reporting. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Congenital malformations of eye, ear, face, neck.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Q18.1
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Preauricular sinus and cyst
Short Description
Preauricular sinus and cyst
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
Q18
Other congenital malformations of face and neck

Code Classification

ChapterQ00-Q99Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities
SectionQ10-Q18Congenital malformations of eye, ear, face and neck
CategoryQ18Other congenital malformations of face and neck
This CodeQ18.1Preauricular sinus and cyst

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

Q18.1 is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Bilateral preauricular regions cyst
  • Congenital cervicoaural fistula
  • Congenital cyst of pinna of ear
  • Congenital fistula of pinna of ear
  • Cyst of left preauricular region
  • Cyst of pinna
  • Cyst of right preauricular region
  • Fistula colli congenita
  • Fistula of branchial cleft
  • Hypertelorism
  • Hypertelorism, preauricular sinus, punctual pits, deafness syndrome
  • Infection of preauricular sinus
  • Mass of preauricular region
  • Preauricular cyst
  • Preauricular fistula

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Inclusion Terms

  • Fistula of auricle, congenital
  • Cervicoaural fistula

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Cyst(colloid) (mucous) (simple) (retention)
      • ear (external)
    • Cyst(colloid) (mucous) (simple) (retention)
      • preauricular
    • Fistula(cutaneous)
      • auricle
        • congenital
    • Fistula(cutaneous)
      • cervical, lateral
    • Fistula(cutaneous)
      • cervicoaural
    • Fistula(cutaneous)
      • preauricular (congenital)
    • Imperfect
      • closure (congenital)
        • preauricular sinus
    • Sinus
      • preauricular

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR MAL005
Congenital malformations of eye, ear, face, neck
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Hypertelorism

    abnormal increase in the interorbital distance due to overdevelopment of the lesser wings of the sphenoid.

Patient EducationClinical

Craniofacial Abnormalities

Craniofacial is a medical term that relates to the bones of the skull and face. Craniofacial abnormalities are birth defects of the face or head. Some, like cleft lip and palate, are among the most common of all birth defects. Others are very rare. Most of them affect how a person's face or head looks.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert Q18.1 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
744.46 Preauricular sinus/fistu
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
744.47 Preauricular cyst
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About Q18.1Overview

Is Q18.1 (Other congenital malformations of face and neck) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report preauricular sinus and cyst on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does Q18.1 group to?

When preauricular sinus and cyst is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 154, 155, 156, with relative weights from 0.6911 to 1.5635 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Is Q18.1 exempt from POA reporting?

Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for preauricular sinus and cyst on inpatient claims.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of Q18.1?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, preauricular sinus and cyst converts to ICD-9-CM 744.46 (preauricular sinus/fistu) and 744.47 (preauricular cyst). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.