Sign in →

Test Code Billings Clinic: 3028 Cell Count, Spinal Fluid (CSF)

Performing Laboratory

Billings Clinic Laboratory: Hematology

Useful For

The CSF cell count may help detect:

  • Meningitis and infection of the brain or spinal cord
  • Tumor, abscess, or area of tissue death (infarct)
  • Inflammation
  • Bleeding into the spinal fluid

Methodology

Fluorescence/Automated (GloCyte)

Hemacytometry/Manual (Backup method)

Flow Cytometry/Automated (Backup method)

Specimen Requirements

Specimen:

  • Specimen must arrive within 1 hour of collection.
  • 1 mL of spinal fluid in a screw-capped, sterile vial or other suitable fluid container.
  • Anticoagulant tube is not acceptable.
  • Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
  • Avoid hemolysis or contamination with blood.

Additional Information:

In general, CSF should be collected into 4 separate allotments with the tubes labeled in order of collection.

  • Tube 1 - saved for possible cell counts to help distinguish a traumatic tap from a subarachnoid hemorrhage.  This is routinely required by the Emergency Department
  • Tube 2 - used for chemistry and immunological studies
  • Tube 3 - used for microbiology testing
  • Tube 4 - used i hematology for the cell count and differential and can also be used for cytology

CSF from a shunt should be collected in a sterile urine container.

Reference Values

Color: Colorless

Clarity: Clear

Nucleated Cells:

0 - 28 Days                        0 - 12 WBCs/uL

28 - 56 Days                      0 - 6 WBCs/uL

56 days  - 11 years           0 - 7 WBCs/uL

11 - 150 years                   0 - 5 WBCs/uL

Red Blood Cells:

All Ages                             0 - 5 WBCs/uL 

Day(s) Test Set Up

Daily

Test Classification and CPT Coding

89050 - Cell count, miscellaneous body fluids, except blood

LOINC Code Information

Reporting Name LOINC Code
Nucleated Cell Count, CSF (automated) 52816-6
Nucleated Cell Count, CSF (manual)

58906-9
Red Blood Cell Count, CSF (automated) 791-4
Red Blood Cell Count, CSF (manual) 792-2

 

Specimen Requirements - Specimen Processing

Client Services: Fill out CSF Order Form and deliver with specimen to Hematology.

Profile/Testing Information

Reflex Information:

  • When nucleated cell count is >5 cells/mm3, this test will reflex to Billings Clinic: #3085 “Cell Count and Differential, Spinal Fluid (CSF)” and CPT code 89050 will be replaced with CPT code 89051, which is charged at a higher rate.
  • This test may automatically reflex to other tests. An additional fee may be added.
  • The ordering physician/provider must indicate if the reflex test is NOT DESIRED. Indicate on order if no reflex test is desired.

General Information:

This test may be ordered on separate specimens from the same procedure.