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Cerebrospinal Fluid

Lumbar puncture, Ventricular tap fluid, Brain fluid, Cerebral shunt fluid, Cerebrospinal fluid, CSF, CYTOLOGY, MEDICAL (NON-GYN), MEDICAL CYTOLOGY REQUEST

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB2111297

Department

Cytology

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: 2.0 mL Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) in a sterile CSF collection tube. (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

• Label the collection tube with the EPIC specimen label with patient's full name, date of birth, medical record number, source of specimen, and date of test.
• It is strongly recommended to separate the specimen into individual tubes and to submit each container to the appropriate laboratory. (i.e., hematology, chemistry, cytology etc.)
• In house cytology specimens should be ordered in EPIC order entry. In the “additional orders” field input “MEDICAL CYTOLOGY REQUEST” and fill in all appropriate fields. Label specimen container and requisition with EPIC specimen labels which contain patient name, medical record number, source of specimen, test ordered, and date of test.
• All Cytology specimens should be accompanied by a requisition and must include the patient name, medical record and visit/CSN number, date of birth, date of specimen collection, pertinent patient history, ordering physician name and source of specimen. Place EPIC specimen label on requisition.
• If CJD is suspected, indicate this on the Cytology requisition and specimen container to alert staff processing the specimen.
• For all CSF specimen collection details please see the Specimen Collection Manual.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

CSF specimens should be submitted to the Cytology Laboratory fresh. Refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F) the unfixed specimen prior to transport. Do not add preservatives to the specimen. (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 2.0 mL CSF in a sterile CSF collection tube, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Improper labeling of specimen container or requisition.
• Specimen not accompanied by requisition.
• Requisitions not accompanied by a specimen.
• Improper collection of specimen (such as improper fixation).
• Specimens dried up in a cup or frozen.
• Specimens delivered to the lab over a week after the collection date.
• Any specimen received without all the required information will result in a delay of processing until all information can be verified.

Inpatient Specimen Preparation

Dearborn:

• Deliver the specimen to the Main Lab drop off window and sign in. Open 24/7.
• Deliver directly to Cytology: Monday – Friday, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm.
• Deliver directly to Histology Lab: Monday – Friday, 6:00 am – 5:00 pm, Saturday, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. Closed on Sunday. 
• Specimens are also picked up throughout the day from the surgical area and Endoscopy: Monday – Friday, 7:00 am – 3:00 pm, Saturday, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm.
• When the Cytology Lab is closed specimens must be delivered to the Main Lab window and signed in. 
  

Farmington Hills

• Deliver the specimen directly to the Cytology Laboratory (2nd floor, East) Monday – Friday, 7:00 am – 4:30 pm.
• Specimens are also picked up throughout the day from the surgical floors and Endoscopy, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.
• After 4:30 pm and on weekends/holidays, deliver to Lab Central Processing. 

Grosse Pointe

• Deliver the specimen directly to the AP Lab (first level): Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. After hours, specimens are taken to the Clinical Pathology Main Lab (lower level), entered in the specimen log, handed to lab staff and placed in the refrigerator.
• Specimens are picked up by the AP Lab staff throughout the day from the Surgical Department and Clinical Pathology Main Lab Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. Endoscopy and radiology specimens are delivered to the AP Lab throughout the day.
• When the AP Laboratory is closed, specimens are delivered to the Clinical Pathology Main Lab specimen processing area. Specimens are to be entered into the specimen log, handed to lab staff and placed in the refrigerator. 

Royal Oak

• Deliver specimen directly to the Cytology Laboratory (North Tower, Lower Level, West Wing) Monday – Friday, 6:00 am – 6:00 pm. 
• Deliver CSF specimens to STAT Lab (3^rd Floor Central Tower).

Troy

• All specimens must be hand-delivered to the Specimen Reception Department phone number: 248-964-8615.

Taylor:

• Deliver to histology, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm.
• After hours, deliver the specimen to the Main Lab. Open 24/7.

Trenton:

• Specimens are picked up from Emergency Department, Interventional Radiology, and operating rooms, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm.
• After hours deliver specimens to the main lab. Open 24/7.

Wayne:  

• Specimens are picked up from Emergency Department and Interventional Radiology from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm.
• After hours deliver specimen to the Main Lab. Open 24/7. 

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Specimen must be refrigerated immediately upon procurement.
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable 

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Dearborn, Grosse Pointe, Farmington Hills, Taylor, Trenton, Troy, and Wayne Cytology Laboratories

Original specimen registration is performed prior to sending to Royal Oak Cytology Laboratory.

Final results on specimens from Taylor, Trenton, Wayne, and Dearborn are issued by the Dearborn hospital.

Final results on Farmington Hills and Troy specimens are issued by the originating hospitals.

Royal Oak Cytology Laboratory

Dearborn, Taylor, Trenton, Wayne, Grosse Pointe, Troy, and Farmington Hills specimens are sent to Royal Oak Cytology Laboratory for preparation and screening.

Final results on Grosse Pointe and Royal Oak specimens are issued by the Royal Oak hospital.

Performed

Monday – Friday, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm (Dearborn).
Monday – Friday, 7:00 am – 4:30 pm (Farmington Hills).
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (Grosse Pointe).
Monday – Friday, 6:00 am – 6:00 pm (Royal Oak).
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm (Taylor).
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm (Trenton).
Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm (Troy).
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm (Wayne). 

Most results are available within 24-48 hours of receipt in the Cytology Laboratory if received Monday – Friday. The Cytology Laboratory is closed on weekends and holidays. Specimens received after 3:00 pm on Friday will be processed the following Monday and resulted on Tuesday Specimens received after 3:00 pm the day before a holiday will be processed the next working day and resulted out the following day. 

Test Methodology

Microscopic evaluation of cytospin preparations. 

CPT Codes

CPT: 88108.
LOINC: 33716-2. 

Contacts

Last Updated

9/26/2025