| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Crystals, Fluid
Test CodeFLCRY
CPT Codes
89060
Preferred Specimen
FLUID (FLD)
Synovial fluid, Bile, Gastric
Anticoagulated with EDTA or heparin if fluid is turbid to prevent clotting.
Specimen should be less than 24 hours old. Wright-stained cytocentrifuge preparations may be examined.
Synovial fluid, Bile, Gastric
Anticoagulated with EDTA or heparin if fluid is turbid to prevent clotting.
Specimen should be less than 24 hours old. Wright-stained cytocentrifuge preparations may be examined.
Reference Range
None Seen
Clinical Significance
Types of crystals:
| CRYSTALS | SHAPE | COMMENTS |
| Monosodium Urate |
Needle, rod-like with parallel straight edges | Gout, intracellular crystals in acute attack. |
| Calcium Pyrophosphate | Often rhomboid, may be rod-like, diamond, or square | Pseudogout or articular chondrocalcinosis. Intracellular in acute attack. |
| Cholesterol | Flat, plate-like, with notch in corner. Occ. needle-like | Never phagocytosed. Present in chronic effusions, partic. Rheumatoid arthritis. |
| Hydroxyapatite | Small, only aggregates seen. | Osteoarthritis. Need EM or X-ray diffraction to identify. |
| STEROIDS: | Variable (see below) | Avidly phagocytosed. Present up to 1 month after injection. |
| Lipids | Globules | Present in chronic effusions. |
Performing Laboratory
CRMC Laboratory
CCMC Laboratory
