Q18.0

Billable
ChapterQ00–Q99
Ranksubcategory
Official Description

Sinus, fistula and cyst of branchial cleft

Metadata & Insights
  • •2026 ICD-10-CM Edition - Effective October 1, 2025.
  • •Billable/specific code (valid for reimbursement).
  • •Chapter 17: Congenital Malformations, Deformations and Chromosomal Abnormalities (Q00-Q99).

Instructional Notes

Includes
  • Branchial vestige
General instructions are available for the parent sections:
View CH17 NotesView Q10-Q18 NotesView Q18 Notes

Clinical Hierarchy

CH17Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-QA0)
Q10-Q18Congenital malformations of eye, ear, face and neck (Q10-Q18)
Q18Other congenital malformations of face and neck
Q18.0Sinus, fistula and cyst of branchial cleft

Applicable Ancestor Context

The following parent sections contain instructions or notes that apply to Q18.0:

categoryQ18
Other congenital malformations of face and neck
View context instructions
blockQ10-Q18
Congenital malformations of eye, ear, face and neck (Q10-Q18)
View context instructions
chapterCH17
Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-QA0)
View context instructions

Alphabetic Index Mentions

These are Diagnosis Index lookup paths that route to Q18.0. Use them as entry terms for search, then confirm final coding instructions in the Tabular List and notes above.

19 raw paths
Branchiogenic remnant (in neck)1 unique routes
Direct index entry→Q18.0
Cleft (congenital)3 unique routes
branchial (persistent)(3 variants)
cyst→Q18.0(3 variants)
fistula→Q18.0
sinus→Q18.0
Cyst (colloid) (mucous) (simple) (retention)3 unique routes
branchial (cleft)→Q18.0
branchiogenic→Q18.0
cervical lateral→Q18.0
Fistula (cutaneous)3 unique routes
branchial (cleft)→Q18.0
branchiogenous→Q18.0
pharynx
branchial cleft (congenital)→Q18.0
Imperfect3 unique routes
closure (congenital)(3 variants)
branchial cleft NOS(3 variants)
cyst→Q18.0
fistula→Q18.0
sinus→Q18.0
Infection, infected, infective (opportunistic)1 unique routes
branchial cyst→Q18.0
Persistence, persistent (congenital)3 unique routes
branchial cleft NOS(3 variants)
cyst→Q18.0
fistula→Q18.0
sinus→Q18.0
Sinus1 unique routes
branchial cleft (internal) (external)→Q18.0
Vestige, vestigial1 unique routes
branchial→Q18.0

MS-DRG Classification

2026 v43.1

This code is grouped within the following Diagnosis Related Group(s) for clinical reimbursement:

DRG 154
Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCC
DRG 155
Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CC
DRG 156
Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC

Cross Reference

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