Q18.2 Other branchial cleft malformations

Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026. Exempt from present-on-admission (POA) reporting.

Applicable to

• Branchial cleft malformation NOS
• Cervical auricle
• Otocephaly

Applies from Q18 Other congenital malformations of face and neck

Excludes1 (never code together)

• cleft lip and cleft palate (Q35-Q37)
• conditions classified to Q67.0-Q67.4
• congenital malformations of skull and face bones (Q75.-)
• cyclopia (Q87.0)
• dentofacial anomalies [including malocclusion] (M26.-)
• malformation syndromes affecting facial appearance (Q87.0)
• persistent thyroglossal duct (Q89.2)

MS-DRG index

Defines the logic of DRG(s) 154-156 in MDC 03.

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• 744.43 Cervical auricle (approximate)
• 744.49 Other branchial cleft cyst or fistula; preauricular sinus (approximate)

Code annotations containing back-references to Q18.2

Back-references to Q18.2

• Type 1 Excludes: Q17.4 Misplaced ear ("cervical auricle (Q18.2)")

Back-references to Q18

• Type 1 Excludes: Q75 Other congenital malformations of skull and face bones ("congenital malformation of face NOS (Q18.-)")

Diagnosis Index entries for Q18.2

• Auricle, auricular › cervical
• Branchial › cartilage, congenital
• Cervical › auricle
• Cleft (congenital) › branchial (persistent)
• Imperfect › closure (congenital) › branchial cleft NOS
• Malformation (congenital) › branchial cleft
• Malposition › congenital › auricle (ear) › cervical
• Otocephaly
• Persistence, persistent (congenital) › branchial cleft NOS

Nearby codes

• Q18 Other congenital malformations of face and neck
• Q18.0 Sinus, fistula and cyst of branchial cleft
• Q18.1 Preauricular sinus and cyst
• Q18.2 Other branchial cleft malformations (this code)
• Q18.3 Webbing of neck
• Q18.4 Macrostomia
• Q18.5 Microstomia
• Q18.6 Macrocheilia
• Q18.7 Microcheilia