Muscle Fibers, Fecal

Test Code

8428

CPT Codes
89160

Preferred Specimen

5 grams stool collected in a plastic, leak-proof container

Patient Preparation
Patient is required to eat adequate amounts of red meat for 24-72 hours before testing. Specimens may be obtained with warm saline or Fleet Phospho®-Soda enema. Specimens obtained with mineral oil, bismuth, or magnesium compounds are unsatisfactory. Barium procedures or laxatives should be avoided for 1 week prior to collection of the specimen.

Minimum Volume

1 g feces

Transport Container

Clean, plastic, screw-cap, leak-proof container

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 30 days

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

If patient had laxatives or barium procedures within 1 week prior to collection

Methodology
Microscopic Examination

Setup Schedule

Sun-fri

Report Available

2-3 days

Reference Range

Few muscle fibers seen

Clinical Significance

The presence of many muscle fibers may indicate possible steatorrhea or a diarrhea with rapid transit time.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute-Chantilly VA

14225 Newbrook Drive

Chantilly, VA 20151-2228

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.