CELL COUNT WITH DIFFERENTIAL, BODY FLUID

Message

Hematology

Test Code

LAB210

Alias/See Also

Cell Count + Diff-MF
Cell Count & Differentials – Miscellaneous Fluid
Peritoneal Fluid Cell Count
Pleural Fluid Cell Count
Abdominal Fluid Cell Count
Synovial Fluid Cell Count
Bronchoalveolar Lavage (Differential ONLY)

CPT Codes
89051

Includes

Total Nucleated Cell Count (TNC)
Total Red Blood Cell Count (RBC)
Cell Differential

Preferred Specimen

Indicate type of fluid Collected by physician.
Place specimen in a lavender top tube containing EDTA and inverted a few times to mix. This prevents clotting and allows an accurate cell count. Send to Laboratory immediately.

Minimum Volume

1.0mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Peritoneal Fluid (Ascites, Abdominal)
Pleural Fluid (Thoracentesis)
Abdominal Fluid
Synovial Fluid

Bronchoalveolar Lavage (Differential Only will be performed; No cell count)- Do not collect in a preservative tube (EDTA)

Instructions

Fluid Types: Bronchial Alveolar Lavage/Wash, Pericardial, Peritoneal, Pleural, Serous, and Synovial. LAB: Do NOT centrifuge. BAL NOT to be received in preserved tube.
Synovial Fluid Cell Count may have Crystals order that requires separate sterile container – NOT same EDTA tube

Specimen Stability

Ambient 2 hours
Refrigerated up to 24 hours

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

Examples of unacceptable fluids:
Gall bladder
Wound
Drainage
Abscess
Pericardial

Methodology
Manual Cell Count performed via Hemocytometer Automated Cell Count performed via flow cytometry with a semiconductor laser exploiting the differences in cell size, complexity, and RNA /DNA content. Forward scattered light provides information on blood cell size and lateral scattered light provides information on the cell interior such as the size of the nucleus. Fluorescent light is emitted in all directions.

Setup Schedule

Same day

Limitations

Clots, cell clumps or debris may cause interference in the results

Reference Range

Reference ranges have not been established for body fluid cell counts and differentials and should be interpreted in the context of clinical picture.

Clinical Significance

Examination of the numerical and/or morphological findings in the body fluid are useful in the diagnosis of disease states, such as meningitis, hemorrhage, malignancy, inflammation, viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections.

Performing Laboratory
HHN / HHI Lab

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.