Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) - Cytology

Message

Performed in the Cytology Laboratory x5839.
Must submit with Cytology paper requisition #151594 available from Taylor Communications (Smartworks)

Test Code

BAL CYTO

Alias/See Also

Bronchial, Bronchus, Bronchiole

CPT Codes
88112 +/- 88305

Includes

Additional stains to rule out infectious organisms must be specifically ordered on the requisition. If no additional orders are received on the requisition, the pathologist will order additional stains only if deemed necessary based on interpretation of the routine slide prepartion and/or cell block. NOTE: RUSH SPECIMEN MUST BE MARKED AS SUCH ON THE REQUISITION AND WARRANTED BY PATIENT ACUITY.

Preferred Specimen

50-100mL fresh specimen

Minimum Volume

Any volume can be evaluated. At least 50mL is recommended.

Instructions

Area to be sampled should be lavaged repeatedly (4-5 times) with a total of 100-300mL of warm saline or balanced salt solution in 20-100mL aliquots. Of the total BAL specimen, at least 50-100mL should be submitted fresh to Cytology.

Transport Container

Sterile specimen container with lid.

Transport Temperature

Delivery immediately to Cytology on Ziskind 5 or refrigerate.

Methodology
Liquid based slide preparation and cell block if specimen permits. Pneumocystis (PCP) is ruled out by GMS stain. Nocardia is ruled out by FITE stain. AFB is ruled out by Kinyoun stain OR see AFB Testing within the Microbiology Lab.

Setup Schedule

Daily, Monday through Friday.
Page Pathology Resident on call for weekend RUSH samples. Weekend RUSH samples must be warranted by patient acuity.

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.