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Test Code BFCRYS CRYSTALS, BODY FLUID

Methodology

Compensated Polarized Light Microscopy

Monosodium urate crystals are found in almost 100% of fluids from acute gouty joints (within phagocytes), and less frequently in chronic gouty arthritis (mostly extracellular). Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals are characteristic of pseudogout chondrocalcinosis and CPPD deposition disease. Clinical symptoms mimic gout, rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoarthritis. Diagnosis requires demonstrating CPPD crystals.

Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

 

Preferred

 

EDTA Tube

Container/Tube: Lavender-top EDTA tube(s)

Specimen Volume: 1 mL of body fluid

 

Collection Instructions:

Note:

1. Label tube with patient’s legal name, date of birth, collection date, clinician, and specimen source.

2. Specimen source, clinical history/diagnosis, and physician’s name are required.

3. Send to Pathology with a Pathology Requisition (Listed in Special Instructions)

 

Alternate

 

Plain, Red-Top Tube

Container/Tube: Plain, red-top tube(s)

Specimen Volume: 1 mL of body fluid

 

Collection Instructions:

Note:

1. Label tube with patient’s legal name, date of birth, collection date, clinician, and specimen source.

2. Specimen source, clinical history/diagnosis, and physician’s name are required.

3. Send to Pathology with a Pathology requisition.

 

NOTE: If a slide is submitted, send to pathology with a Pathology requisition (Listed in Special Instructions).

Specimen Retention Time

2 weeks from reporting date

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Maximum Laboratory Time

5-10 days from received date

Specimen Stability

 

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Whole Blood EDTA Ambient (preferred) 2 days
     

 

Reference Values

Absent

If present, urate crystals exhibit strong negative birefringence and CPPD crystals exhibit positive birefringence.

Performing Laboratory

Logan Health Medical Center Laboratory

Test Classification and CPT Coding

89060

Special Instructions

Note: Complete ALL information including specimen source and all pertinent clinical data (clinical symptoms, history of malignancy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and tentative diagnosis) and forward with specimen.