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Test Code Billings Clinic: 4116 Glucose/Protein/Cell Count, Spinal Fluid

Performing Laboratory

Billings Clinic Laboratory: Chemistry and 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

The CSF Protein may help detect:

  • Increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier to plasma proteins
  • Increased intrathecal production of immunoglobulins

The CSF Glucose may help detect possible central nervous system infection

Methodology

Glucose: Hexokinase

Protein: Pyrogallol Red / bichromatic endpoint

Cell Count: Hemacytometry/Manual

Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive within 1 hour of collection.

 

Spinal Fluid for Cell Count

  • 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.
  • Label specimen appropriately (spinal fluid for cell count).

Spinal Fluid for Glucose and Protein

  • 2 mL of spinal fluid in a screw-capped, sterile vial or other suitable fluid container.
  • Send specimen refrigerated.
  • Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
  • Label specimen appropriately (spinal fluid for glucose and protein).

Storage/Stability

See individual test listings

Reference Values

See individual test listings.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Daily

Test Classification and CPT Coding

84155 - protein

89050 - cell count
89245 - glucose

89051 - cell count with differential (if appropriate)

LOINC Code Information

Reporting Name LOINC Code
Glucose, CSF 2342-4
Protein, CSF 2880-3
Cell Count, CSF 34563-7
Differential, CSF (if appropriate) 29584-0

 

Specimen Requirements - Specimen Processing

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

Profile/Testing Information

Profile Information:
Cell Count Protein
Glucose  

 

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.