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Test Code CYTO.SPUTUM CYTOLOGY/SPUTUM

Important Note

1. Delayed transport of fresh, unfixed specimen may cause cellular degeneration.

2. A “deep cough” specimen, not saliva, must be collected for an adequate evaluation. Absence of pulmonary macrophages usually renders a specimen inadequate for a diagnostic interpretation.

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

Methodology

Includes 2 smear preparations, cell block preparation (if adequate material), Papanicolaou stain, and microscopic cytologic examination.

 

Useful in the diagnosis of primary or metaplastic neoplasms; can aid in the diagnosis of certain non-neoplastic, infectious or inflammatory processes.

Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

 

EXPECTORATED:

Container/Tube: Vial which is one third to one half full of Saccomanno cytology preservative-

                                      24-hour collection is not acceptable.

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions:

  1. Instruct patient to gargle with water upon arising in the morning. Patient should expectorate water and discard it.
  2. Patient should then cough as deeply as possible and expectorate all sputum produced into a vial.
  3. Avoid collecting saliva or “spit.”
  4. Label vial (not lid) with patient’s legal name, date of birth, specimen source, and date and time of collection.
  5. Place vial in separate plastic biohazard transport bag.

Forms: “Cytology Requisition”           

INDUCED:

Container/Tube: Vial which is one third to one half full of Saccomanno cytology preservative-24-hour collection is not acceptable.
Specimen Volume: 10 mL of sputum

 

Collection Instructions:

  1. Fill ultrasonic nebulizer with 10 mL of 3% sterile sodium chloride solution.
  2. Seat patient in front of nebulizer.
  3. Turn on nebulizer and note strong flow of nebulizer saline from end of flex tubing.
  4. Instruct patient to put end of flex tubing inside lips and inhale aerosol slowly and deeply.
  5. Instruct patient to cough deeply and, without touching inside of vial or lid, expectorate into collection vials.
  6. If patient cannot expectorate sputum, 5 to 10 minutes of chest percussion may be administered to stimulate cough and sputum production.
  7. Label vial (not lid) with patient’s legal name, date of birth, specimen source, and date and time of collection.
  8. Place vial in separate plastic biohazard transport bag.

 

Forms: “Cytology Requisition”

             

Specimen Retention Time

Two weeks from received date

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Friday

Maximum Laboratory Time

5-10 days from received date

Specimen Stability

Ambient/Refrigerate NO/Frozen NO

 

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Fluid-Saccomanno Ambient  
FRESH Refrigerate ASAP
  Frozen NO

Reference Values

Negative for malignant cells

Performing Laboratory

Logan Health Medical Center Laboratory

Test Classification and CPT Coding

88108

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.