Fine Needle Aspiration

Message

Cytopathology

Test Code

LAB534

Alias/See Also

Breast FNA
Cytology
Cytology FNA
Fine Needle
Fine Needle Aspiration
Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy
Fine Needle Aspiration for Cytologic Evaluation
FNAB
Kidney FNA
Liver FNA
Lymph Nodes FNA
Salivary Glands FNA
Thyroid FNA

Instructions

Fine Needle Aspirate
Submit source information with the specimen.

Transport Container

Fluid: Transport all available specimen to the laboratory in equal parts cytology fixative.
Unfixed Fluid: acceptable if submitted refrigerated within 24 hours.
Slides: Transport specimen on fixed or unfixed slides.

Transport Temperature

Fresh Unfixed Fluid: Refrigerated
Fixed Fluid: Room temperature. Also acceptable: Refrigerated
Fixed or Unfixed Slides: Room temperature. Also acceptable: Refrigerated.

** Note: Do not use Pneumatic Tube for Cytology specimens. For STAT reads deliver specimens directly to the Cytology Lab.

Specimen Stability

Fresh Unfixed Fluid: Ambient: 24 hours; Refrigerated: 72 hours; Frozen: Unacceptable
Fixed Fluid: Ambient: 1 week; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: Unacceptable
Fixed or Unfixed Slides: Ambient: 1 week; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: Unacceptable

Methodology
Microscopy

Setup Schedule

Mon-Sat

Report Available

3-5 Business days

Clinical Significance

Establish diagnosis for mass lesions accessible by fine needle aspiration.

Performing Laboratory
HNB

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.