Other congenital malformations of face and neck (Q18) ICD-10-CM
The Q18 code range covers other congenital malformations of face and neck with 11 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 10 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
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.
Codes in the Q18 Range 11 codes · 10 billable
- Q18 Other congenital malformations of face and neckNon-billable
- 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
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the Q18 range.
Essential Tremor
A relatively common disorder characterized by a fairly specific pattern of tremors which are most prominent in the upper extremities and neck, inducing titubations of the head. The tremor is usually mild, but when severe may be disabling. An autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance may occur in some families (i.e., familial tremor). (Mov Disord 1988;13(1):5-10)
Hypertelorism
Abnormal increase in the interorbital distance due to overdevelopment of the lesser wings of the sphenoid.
Loose Anagen Hair Syndrome
Benign childhood alopecia that improves spontaneously with aging. It is characterized by anagen hairs (misshapen hair bulbs and absent inner and outer root sheaths), thin, and sparse hairs that pulls out easily.
Macrostomia
Greatly exaggerated width of the mouth, resulting from failure of union of the maxillary and mandibular processes, with extension of the oral orifice toward the ear. The defect may be unilateral or bilateral. (Dorland, 27th ed)
Microstomia
A congenital defect in which the mouth is unusually small. (Dorland, 27th ed)
About the Q18 Code Range
The ICD-10 code Q18 covers a range of other congenital malformations specifically affecting the face and neck. These codes are used for identifying various rare, complex birth anomalies, including cysts, sinuses, webbing, and abnormal formations of facial and neck structures.
The detailed ICD-10 codes within the Q18 section include specific conditions such as Q18.0 for branchial cleft cysts and fistulas, commonly referred to by synonyms like "branchial cleft sinus" or "branchial cleft anomaly." Q18.1 identifies preauricular sinus and cyst, also known as preauricular fistulas or cysts near the ear. There are codes like Q18.3 for webbing of the neck, which may be called "neck webbing." Other codes like Q18.4 and Q18.5 define congenital conditions of mouth size, macrostomia (large mouth) and microstomia (small mouth), respectively. The section also includes codes for microcheilia and macrocheilia, describing small or large lips. More broadly, Q18.8 groups other specific rare congenital malformations of the face and neck, often linked to syndromes involving hypertelorism or absent eyebrow, while Q18.9 is used when the malformation is not otherwise specified. Understanding these synonyms and code specifics helps to accurately assign the correct ICD-10 code for congenital facial and neck malformations during diagnosis and medical documentation.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the Q18 range?
Of the 11 codes in this range, 10 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the Q18 range classify?
The range classifies other congenital malformations of face and neck. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
