Cerebrospinal Fluid Cytology

Message
During normal working hours, cytology specimens will be brought to Specimen Receiving, Bldg 2. After hours, they will be turned over to the Senior Laboratory Technician.
All non-GYN specimen containers must be clearly labeled with the patient’s identification data as outlined above. In addition, the following information must also be included on the chit:
-Date and time of collection.
-Specimen source.
If a body fluid specimen cannot be brought immediately to the cytology processing room, it must be refrigerated, and brought to the Laboratory as soon as possible.
 


Test Code
Cerebrospinal Fluid Cytology NMCP


Alias/See Also
CSF


CPT Codes
88104

Includes
usually tube # 4


Transport Container


Leakproof screwcap tube.




Transport Temperature
Room Temperature


Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Accurate patient and specimen identification is critical.  Complete and legible information is required on all forms, and slides must be properly labeled. 
Missing or incomplete information on the Cytology request forms is cause for return of the specimen and form for correction. 
Unidentified specimens are cause for rejection.
Double-checking specimens and forms prior to submission can avoid most refusals or specimen returns.
PAPER IDENTIFICATION LABELS ON SLIDES ARE UNACCEPTABLE.
Bloody or body fluid contaminated forms will not be accepted.
The cytology staff will make every effort to accession and process these specimens to avoid any delay while corrections are being made.
Specimen rejection is necessary in order to provide an accurate evaluation and to insure that a specimen belongs to the intended patient. 
 
These requirements comply with the standards of the College of American Pathologists.


Report Available
2 days




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.