Find Locations
For hours, walk-ins and appointments.Synonyms
- Pleural Effusions
Special Instructions
Include patient's name, date of birth, sex, Social Security number, previous malignancy, drug therapy, radiation therapy, and all other pertinent clinical information, including history of alcohol abuse, on the request form.
Expected Turnaround Time
2 - 6 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Pleural fluid
Volume
50 mL or more
Minimum Volume
More than 5 mL
Container
1200-cc Cardinal Health Guardian™ disposable hard canister or 120-mL BD Vacutainer® sterile urine collection cup with integrated sampling device available from the courier service
Collection
Label the container with patient's name, hospital number, room number, date, and type of specimen. Deliver immediately to the Cytology Laboratory. If more than a 24-hour delay is anticipated between collection and receipt in the laboratory, please add the following: 1 mL (1000 units) of heparin for each 300 mL of collected fluid. To the entire volume (up to 1 liter) add an equal volume of 50% ethyl alcohol or Saccomanno fixative. (Note: Specimens prepared with fixatives that contain 50% ethyl alcohol, eg, Saccomanno fixative, are not acceptable for microbiology testing.)
Storage Instructions
After hours, place in the laboratory refrigerator.
Patient Preparation
In order to suspend the cells in the fluid, move the patient into several different positions. Perform the paracentesis.
Causes for Rejection
Improper labeling; contamination due to spillage; improper fixation; specimen submitted in vial that expired according to manufacturer's label; frozen specimen
Test Details
Use
Establish the presence of primary or metastatic neoplasms; aid in the diagnosis of rheumatoid pleuritis, fungal and parasitic infestation of serous cavities
Limitations
Allowing fluid to stand for prolonged period before processing may cause deterioration and artifact. First tapping of fluids of long duration may be degenerated and require a second tap after reaccumulation. Clots may contain diagnostic cells which are unavailable for sampling.
Methodology
The fluid will be centrifuged, supernatant poured off, and diagnostic cells aspirated from the remaining material. Filters, monolayers, and/or cytospins will be made along with a cell block, if applicable. Microscopic examination is performed.
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 191115 | Specimen type: | 22633-2 | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 191152 | Source: | 22633-2 | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 191160 | Clinician provided ICD9: | 52797-8 | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 191174 | Clinician provided ICD10: | 52797-8 | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 191118 | DIAGNOSIS: | 47526-9 | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 191165 | Recommendation: | 22638-1 | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 191140 | Comment: | 22638-1 | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 191157 | Pathologist provided ICD9: | 52797-8 | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 191175 | Pathologist provided ICD10: | 52797-8 | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 191117 | Clinical history: | 22636-5 | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 191126 | Amended report: | N/A | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 191127 | Addendum: | 22639-9 | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 191147 | Diagnosis provided by: | N/A | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 191119 | Signed out by: | 19139-5 | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 191120 | Performed by: | N/A | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 191116 | Gross description: | 22634-0 | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 191156 | Microscopic description: | 22635-7 | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 191141 | Special procedure: | N/A | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 191179 | Previous history: | N/A | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 191144 | QA comment: | N/A | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 019018 | . | 11546-9 | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 000000 | NonGyn CPT Code Automation | N/A | ||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 019065 | N/A | |||
| 009043 | Pleural Fluid Cytology | 191167 | Photomicrograph | N/A |
© 2021 Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings and Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved.
CPT Statement/Profile Statement
The LOINC® codes are copyright © 1994-2021, Regenstrief Institute, Inc. and the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Committee. Permission is granted in perpetuity, without payment of license fees or royalties, to use, copy, or distribute the LOINC® codes for any commercial or non-commercial purpose, subject to the terms under the license agreement found at https://loinc.org/license/. Additional information regarding LOINC® codes can be found at LOINC.org, including the LOINC Manual, which can be downloaded at LOINC.org/downloads/files/LOINCManual.pdf