CRYSTAL IDENTIFICATION, BODY FLUID

Message

Hematology

Test Code

LAB940

Alias/See Also

Crystals-Misc Fluid
Body Fluid Crystals

CPT Codes
89060

Preferred Specimen

Indicate type of fluid. Collected by physician. Send to laboratory IMMEDIATELY.

Fluids sent for Crystal analysis should be collected in a sterile container with NO anticoagulant.

Minimum Volume

1mL

Instructions

DO NOT USE an anticoagulant tube for Crystal analysis.

Specimen Stability

Ambient 1 hr-;Refrigerated up to 24 hrs

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Body fluid for Crystal analysis sent in anticoagulant tube.

Note: If additional sample cannot be obtained and ordering MD insists on a result, testing may be performed with a disclaimer.

Methodology
Polarized light passes through some materials with unchanged velocity regardless of the direction of the entering light waves. These tissues are designated isotropic and have an index of refraction that is the same in all directions. On the other hand, anisotropic materials alter the velocity of transmitted polarized light waves, depending upon the direction of the light waves. The latter are birefringent because they have different indices of refraction corresponding to the respective velocities of polarized light transmission. Birefringence may be expressed quantitatively as the difference between to indices of refraction.

Setup Schedule

Same day

Report Available

Hematology

Limitations

Specimen sent in anticoagulant tube may contain artifact crystals.

Reference Range

None seen

Clinical Significance

Polarized illumination is useful in clinical microscopy to assist in identifying crystals in urines or body fluids. Because light is transmitted in all directions and vibration of the waves is at right angles to the direction of the transmission, light viewed through the microscope will be vibrating in many different directions. Wave vibrations can be made unidirectional by inserting devices called polarizers between the light source and the viewer. If two such polarizers are inserted in the optical beam in such a manner that the second one transmits in a direction at right angles to the first, all light will be extinguished. If the same polarizers are inserted at parallel angles, the light will be transmitted but will be vibrational only in one direction.

Performing Laboratory
HHN / HHI Laboratory

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.