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Test Code VLTS Volatile Screen, Serum

Reporting Name

Volatile Scrn, S

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Useful For

Detection and quantitation of acetone, methanol, isopropanol, and ethanol in serum

 

Quantification of the concentration of ethanol in serum correlates with degree of intoxication

 

Evaluation of toxicity to the measured volatile substances

Method Name

Headspace Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detector (HSGC-FID)


Additional Testing Requirements


If measurement of ethylene glycol is also needed, order ETGL / Ethylene Glycol, Serum in addition to this test.



Specimen Required


Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial for serum collected in red-top tubes only.

Specimen Volume: Full tube

Collection Instructions:

1. Do not use alcohol to clean arm. Use alternative such as Betadine to cleanse arm before collecting any specimen for volatile testing.

2. Avoid exposure of specimen to atmosphere.

3. Centrifuge serum gel tubes with 2 hours of collection but do not aliquot.

4. Centrifuge red-top tubes and aliquot serum in plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.


Specimen Type

Serum

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  28 days
  Ambient  24 hours

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK
 

Reference Values

Methanol:

Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)

Toxic concentration: ≥10 mg/dL

 

Ethanol:

Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)

Toxic concentration: ≥400 mg/dL

 

Isopropanol:

Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)

Toxic concentration: ≥10 mg/dL

 

Acetone:

Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)

Toxic concentration: ≥10 mg/dL

Interpretation

Methanol:

The presence of methanol indicates exposure that may result in intoxication, central nervous system (CNS) depression, and metabolic acidosis. Ingestion of methanol can be fatal if patients do not receive immediate medical treatment.

 

Ethanol:

The presence of ethanol indicates exposure that may result in intoxication, CNS depression, and metabolic acidosis.

 

Isopropanol:

The presence of isopropanol indicates exposure that may result in intoxication and CNS depression. Ingestion of isopropanol can be fatal if patients do not receive immediate medical treatment.

 

Acetone:

The presence of acetone may indicate exposure to acetone; it is also a metabolite of isopropanol and may be detected during ketoacidosis.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Saturday

Report Available

1 to 2 days

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

80320

G0480 (if appropriate)

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
VLTS Volatile Scrn, S 50025-6

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
8632 Volatile Scrn, S 32044-0
30917 Methanol, S 5693-7
30918 Ethanol, S 5643-2
30919 Acetone, S 5568-1
30920 Isopropanol, S 5669-7
34376 Chain of Custody 77202-0

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.

Testing Algorithm

This test includes analysis for methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and acetone.