Specimen Requirements

Container/Tube: STERILE TUBES-Anticoagulant tube is not acceptable.

Specimen Volume: 1 mL to 5 mL (minimum volume: 0.5 mL) of CSF

Collection Instructions:

1. Aseptically collect CSF from lumbar puncture. Avoid contamination from skin or other body surfaces.

2. Divide SCF into 1 to 4 sterile tubes.

3. Tubes should be numbered in order of draw 1, 2, 3, 4 with tube #1 representing first portion of specimen collected. Tube #4, or last tube collected, is most suitable for cytology unless otherwise specified by physician.

4. Label tubes (not lid) with patient’s legal name, date of birth,  specimen source, and date and time of collection.

5. Submit fresh specimen to laboratory as soon as possible.

* If specimen cannot be delivered to laboratory immediately, or if specimen is collected off-site,

add an equal volume of 50% ethanol to cytology tube and deliver as soon as possible.

                     (Immediate fixation is imperative to avoid cellular degeneration).

6. Refrigerate fresh specimen after collection.

Note: Specimen source, patient’s name, age, and sex are required.

Forms: “Cytology Requisition”