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Q18.0

Billable

Sinus, fistula and cyst of branchial cleft

This code does not map to an HCC category in any model (V28, V24, ESRD, RxHCC).

What This Code Means

A birth defect involving abnormal passages, openings, or fluid-filled sacs that develop from remnants of the branchial cleft structures in the neck.

Coding Tips

  • •Branchial cleft anomalies are classified by which of the four branchial clefts is involved; document this if specified
  • •These may present with drainage, infection, or mass; code any complications separately

Code Hierarchy

└Q18Other congenital malformations of face and neck└Q18.0Sinus, fistula and cyst of branchial cleft
└Q18.0Sinus, fistula and cyst of branchial cleft

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