Specimen Collection Manual: Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Specimen Collection, Labeling, and Transport
CSF, Cerebral Spinal Fluid, CSF Specimen Collection and Labeling, Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Specimen Collection and Labeling
Instructions
 |
| CSF Specimen Collection Kit |
Cell Count Procedure
- The protocol for proper CSF collection requires that an aliquot of CSF be placed in sequentially numbered and properly labeled sterile tubes as the fluid is collected.
- Specimens are usually collected in four sterile tubes, which are labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the order in which they are withdrawn.
Specimen Collection Criteria
The CSF tubes/containers, included in the CSF kit, have numbers 1-4 etched near the top of the container. The tube labeled 1 is collected first. Each tube holds a maximum of 8.0 mL. NOTE: (Taylor, Trenton & Wayne only) Please walk all specimens to the lab instead of sending through Pneumatic tube system.
| Tube # |
Test Name |
Volume Required |
| Tube 1 |
CSF Protein, Glucose |
1.0-2.0 mL |
| Tube 1 |
CSF Oligoclonal Banding (includes IgG)* |
1.5 mL |
| Tube 1 |
CSF Myelin Basic Protein |
1.0 mL |
| Tube 2 |
Microbiology/Serology Studies** |
See below |
| Tube 3 |
CSF Cell Count |
1.0 mL |
| Tube 3 |
CSF Flow Cytometry for Lymphoproliferative Disorder |
1.0 mL |
| Tube 4 |
Cytology Studies |
1.0 mL |
| Tube 4 |
Hold |
1.0 mL |
*Blood (one Gold-top SST tube) is also required.
| **Microbiology/Serology Requirements |
| Lab Section: Microbiology |
| Tube # |
Test Name |
Volume Required |
| Tube 2 |
CSF Routine Bacterial Culture |
1.0 mL |
| Tube 2 |
Fungal Culture |
2.0 mL |
| Tube 2 |
CSF Viral Culture*** |
2.0 mL |
| Tube 2 |
CSF Mycobacterial Culture |
5.0 - 7.0 mL |
| Tube 2 |
Bacterial Antigen Detection |
0.5 mL |
| Tube 2 |
Cryptococcal Antigen |
0.5 mL |
| Lab Section: Special Testing |
| Tube 2 |
CSF Arbovirus IgM Panel |
2.0 mL |
| Tube 2 |
CSF HSV, VZV, and/or Enterovirus PCR |
1.0 mL |
| Tube 2 |
CSF Syphilis VDRL |
0.5 mL |
***There is no need to use viral transport media with CSF as it usually contains enough protein for protection of any viruses that might be present.
Rejection Criteria
FOR MICROBIOLOGY ONLY:
Expired media is not acceptable. Check the expiration date on all media prior to specimen collection.
Inpatient Specimen Preparation
- Send all tubes to the Laboratory STAT after collection.
- For specimens obtained at Royal Oak, send to the following Pneumatic tube destinations:
- Send CSF Tubes 1, 3 and 4 to the STAT Lab (Pneumatic tube #309, 311, 720, and 721).
- Send CSF Tube 2 directly to Microbiology (Pneumatic tube #325).
Contacts
Microbiology Laboratory – FH
947-521-7488
Name: Microbiology Laboratory – FH
Location:
Phone: 947-521-7488
Chemistry Laboratory – FH
947-521-5252
Name: Chemistry Laboratory – FH
Location:
Phone: 947-521-5252
Hematology/Coagulation Laboratory – FH
947-521-8243
Name: Hematology/Coagulation Laboratory – FH
Location:
Phone: 947-521-8243
Microbiology Laboratory – DBN
313-593-7921
Name: Microbiology Laboratory – DBN
Location:
Phone: 313-593-7921
Chemistry Laboratory – DBN
313-436-2196
Name: Chemistry Laboratory – DBN
Location:
Phone: 313-436-2196
Coagulation – DBN
313-593-7908
Name: Coagulation – DBN
Location:
Phone: 313-593-7908
Hematology Laboratory – DBN
313-593-7905
Name: Hematology Laboratory – DBN
Location:
Phone: 313-593-7905
STAT Laboratory – RO
248-898-0325
Name: STAT Laboratory – RO
Location:
Phone: 248-898-0325
Microbiology Laboratory – RO
248-551-8090
Name: Microbiology Laboratory – RO
Location:
Phone: 248-551-8090
Microbiology Laboratory – TR
248-964-6127
Name: Microbiology Laboratory – TR
Location:
Phone: 248-964-6127
Microbiology Laboratory – GP
313-473-1802
Name: Microbiology Laboratory – GP
Location:
Phone: 313-473-1802
Chemistry Laboratory – TR
248-964-8070
Name: Chemistry Laboratory – TR
Location:
Phone: 248-964-8070
Chemistry Laboratory – GP
313-473-1807
Name: Chemistry Laboratory – GP
Location:
Phone: 313-473-1807
Hematology Laboratory – RO
248-551-8080
Name: Hematology Laboratory – RO
Location:
Phone: 248-551-8080
Hematology/Coagulation Laboratory – TR
248-964-8040
Name: Hematology/Coagulation Laboratory – TR
Location:
Phone: 248-964-8040
Hematology/Urinalysis Laboratory – GP
313-473-1809
Name: Hematology/Urinalysis Laboratory – GP
Location:
Phone: 313-473-1809
Last Updated
7/13/2021
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