Specimen Requirements

It is recommended that the last tube collected be used for cytologic evaluation. This is to avoid possible blood contamination from the tap.

1. Collect 5 mL (minimum volume:  1 mL) of spinal fluid.

2. If possible, make two air dried cytospins within 1 hour of collection.  Cytospins produce optimal cytologic detail for diagnostic evaluation. The cytospins are submitted unstained.

3. The  remainder of the specimen may be submitted in cytolyte .

3. Label specimen appropriately (patient’s name, history number, and specimen source) on the container—not the lid.
Note:  Please complete a “Reference Pathology/Non-Gynecologic Cytology Request Form” in “Request Forms” in “Special Instructions” including specimen source and all pertinent clinical data (clinical symptoms, history of malignancy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and tentative diagnosis), and forward it with the specimen.