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Lab Dept:
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Other Fluids
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Test Name:
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CSF COUNT & DIFFERENTIAL
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General Information
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Lab Order Codes:
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CSFC
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Synonyms:
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Spinal Fluid Count; CSF Count; CSF Cell Count
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CPT Codes:
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89050 - Cell Count, miscellaneous body fluids
89051 - Cell Count, with differential
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Test Includes:
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Color, clarity, RBC, WBC and Differential if WBC >5 cells/mm³
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Logistics
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Test Indications:
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Evaluate spinal fluid for the presence of RBC’s and WBC’s that may be indicative of hemorrhage, meningitis, malignant neoplasms, leukemia or abcess.
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Lab Testing Sections:
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Hematology
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Phone Numbers:
Minneapolis:
Saint Paul:
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612-813-6280
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651-220-6550
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Test Availability:
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Daily, 24 hours
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Turnaround Time:
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1 hour
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Special Instructions:
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Specimen must arrive within 1 hour of collection. Indicate source of specimen (shunt or lumbar puncture). Do Not send to lab through the pneumatic tube system.
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Specimen
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Specimen Type:
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CSF
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Container:
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Screw capped, sterile vial OR plastic syringe, capped
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Draw Volume:
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1 mL CSF
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Processed Volume:
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Minimum: 0.5 mL CSF
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Collection:
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Routine spinal fluid collection
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Special Processing:
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N/A
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Patient Preparation:
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Aseptic preparation for aspiration
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Sample Rejection:
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Clotted sample; slide will be processed to report most common WBC type
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Interpretive
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Reference Range:
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Appearance:
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Clear and colorless
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Cell Count:
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RBC
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0/μL
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WBC (monuclear cells)
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0 – 10/μL
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Differential:
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Cell type
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Neonate (%)
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>1 Month (%)
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Lymphocyte
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20 ± 18
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62 ± 34
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Macrophage/Mono-cyte
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77 ± 22
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36 ± 20
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Neutrophil
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3 ± 5
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2 ± 5
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Eosinophil
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Rare
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Rare
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Critical Values:
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N/A
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Limitations:
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N/A
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Methodology:
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Manual counts/differential
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References:
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Kjelsberg C et al (1993) Body Fluids, American Society of Clinical Pathologists Press
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Update:
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2/14/2005: Critical value for CSF WBC’s removed. Previously listed as >10/uL.
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