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Culture, Ear
MessagePerformed in the Microbiology Laboratory x5785
Test Code
CXEAR
Alias/See Also
Culture, Ear
CPT Codes
87070
Includes
Aerobic culture (Reflex to additional bacterial isolate identification if pathogenic organisms are isolated and bacterial susceptibility if apropriate.)
Preferred Specimen
Tympanocentesis (middle ear effusion - for complicated, recurrent, or chronic persistent otitis media).
Outer ear swab
Outer ear swab
Instructions
For intact ear drum: clean ear canal with soap solution and collect fluid via syringe aspiration technique.
For ruptured ear drum: collect fluid on swab via auditory speculum.
Outer ear: use moistened swab to remove any debris or crust from ear canal. Obtain sample by firmly rotating culture swab in outer canal. For otitis externa, vigorous swabbing is required because surface swabbing may miss streptoccal cellulitis.
For ruptured ear drum: collect fluid on swab via auditory speculum.
Outer ear: use moistened swab to remove any debris or crust from ear canal. Obtain sample by firmly rotating culture swab in outer canal. For otitis externa, vigorous swabbing is required because surface swabbing may miss streptoccal cellulitis.
Transport Container
Syringe capped with Leur-Lok, hand delivered.
Sterile tube with screw cap
Culture swab
Sterile tube with screw cap
Culture swab
Transport Temperature
Room Temperature
Specimen Stability
Room Temp: 8 hours
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Methodology
Culture
Setup Schedule
Sunday - Saturday 6am- 11pm
Limitations
External ear swabs, may also be polymicrobial with large quantities of normal cutaneous flora
Reference Range
No growth
Performing Laboratory
Microbiology X65785 / X65786
