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ICD-10-CM 2027

ICD-10 code for external ear canal cholesteatoma

H60.4

Cholesteatoma of external ear

Header — needs a more specific code

From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Cholesteatoma (ear) (middle) (with reaction) › external ear (canal)”. Page updated September 29, 2026.

About coding external ear canal cholesteatoma

The ICD-10-CM code for external ear canal cholesteatoma is H60.4 (Cholesteatoma of external ear).

Within H60 (otitis externa), H60.4 is specifically for cholesteatoma of external ear. Related codes cover abscess of external ear (H60.0), cellulitis of external ear (H60.1), malignant otitis externa (H60.2), other infective otitis externa (H60.3), acute noninfective otitis externa (H60.5), unspecified chronic otitis externa (H60.6), other otitis externa (H60.8) and unspecified otitis externa (H60.9).

To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: H60.40 (unspecified ear), H60.41 (ear), H60.42 (ear) and H60.43 (bilateral).

The conditions in its Excludes2 note aren't part of H60.4, but may be coded alongside it if the patient has both: cholesteatoma of middle ear (H71.-) and recurrent cholesteatoma of postmastoidectomy cavity (H95.0-).

Common questions about external ear canal cholesteatoma ICD-10 codes

What is the ICD-10 code for external ear canal cholesteatoma?

H60.4 — Cholesteatoma of external ear (a header code; report a more specific subcode).

Is H60.4 billable?

No. H60.4 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.