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  2. ICD-10-CM Codes List
  3. Q00-Q99
  4. Q65-Q79
  5. Congenital musculoskeletal deformities of head, face, spine and chest (Q67)

Congenital musculoskeletal deformities of head, face, spine and chest (Q67)

The ICD-10 code Q67 covers congenital musculoskeletal deformities affecting the head, face, spine, and chest. These codes are specifically used to document and classify various birth defects involving bone and muscle structure abnormalities in these areas.

The subgroup codes help medical professionals distinguish between types of deformities such as Q67.0 for congenital facial asymmetry; also known as hemifacial microsomia or asymmetric crying face; and Q67.3 for plagiocephaly, a condition involving uneven head shapes often called congenital positional plagiocephaly. Codes like Q67.5 address congenital spinal deformities including scoliosis and kyphosis, while Q67.6 and Q67.7 are used for chest wall abnormalities such as pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum. Recognizing synonyms tied to these codes, such as “long narrow head” for Q67.2 dolichocephaly, helps coders accurately assign the correct ICD-10 code. These codes ensure precise identification of specific congenital musculoskeletal disorders for clinical documentation and treatment planning.

Instructional Notations

Type 1 Excludes

A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.

  • congenital malformation syndromes classified to Q87
  • Potter's syndrome Q60.6

Clinical Terms

The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.

Craniosynostoses

Premature closure of one or more CRANIAL SUTURES. It often results in plagiocephaly. Craniosynostoses that involve multiple sutures are sometimes associated with congenital syndromes such as ACROCEPHALOSYNDACTYLIA; and CRANIOFACIAL DYSOSTOSIS.

Facial Asymmetry

Congenital or acquired asymmetry of the face.

Facial Hemiatrophy

A syndrome characterized by slowly progressive unilateral atrophy of facial subcutaneous fat, muscle tissue, skin, cartilage, and bone. The condition typically progresses over a period of 2-10 years and then stabilizes.

Pectus Carinatum

A developmental anomaly characterized by abnormal anterior protrusion of the STERNUM and adjacent COSTAL CARTILAGE.

Plagiocephaly

The condition characterized by uneven or irregular shape of the head often in parallelogram shape with a flat spot on the back or one side of the head. It can either result from the premature CRANIAL SUTURE closure (CRANIOSYNOSTOSIS) or from external forces (NONSYNOSTOTIC PLAGIOCEPHALY).

Plagiocephaly, Nonsynostotic

A deformity of the SKULL that is not due to bone fusion (SYNOSTOSIS), such as craniosynostoses, and is characterized by an asymmetric skull and face. It is observed with an increased frequency in INFANTS after the adoption of supine sleeping recommendations to prevent SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME.