A Non-GYN cytology requisition form complete with the patient’s full name
and date of collection must accompany all Non-GYN cytology specimens. We provide containers upon request.
Sputum
Proper collection and fixation is essential for good diagnostic material.
·
The optimum time
for specimen collection is within 15 to 30 minutes after waking and before
eating breakfast.
·
Instruct the
patient to brush teeth and/or rinse mouth thoroughly with water to reduce
saliva contamination.
·
Instruct the
patient to inhale and exhale deeply, forcing air from lungs, using the
diaphragm. Repeat until the patient
coughs and is able to produce a sputum specimen.
·
Collect the
specimen in a clean specimen container. As soon as possible, add an equal volume
of CytoLyt Solution.
·
Label the container
with the patient's full name. Submit to the laboratory with the completed
requisition form.
Bronchial specimens
Using standard bronchoscopic technique, identify the lesion in
question. Obtain a brushing sample of
the lesion and/or lavage the area to be sampled. Identify location of the lesion on the container and/or smear
when submitting multiple specimens.
·
Bronchial
brushings:
If requesting evaluation for microorganisms,
submit direct smears: Roll brush across a slide labeled in pencil with the patient's full name. Do not fix. Allow to
air-dry. Deposit the brush directly
into container of CytoLyt Solution labeled with the patient’s full name and
submit to the laboratory with the completed requisition form.
·
Bronchial washings:
Collect in a clean container labeled with the
patient’s full name. Immediately add an
equal volume of CytoLyt Solution.
Submit to the laboratory with the completed requisition form.
·
Bronchial lavage
(BAL):
Collect in a clean container labeled with the
patient’s full name. Immediately add an
equal volume of CytoLyt Solution.
Submit to the laboratory with the completed requisition form. (BAL specimens for culture need to be split
prior to adding the fixative.)
Urine
Urine specimens must be properly collected. The
method of collection must be indicated, i.e. voided, catheterized, cystoscopic
(bladder wash-irrigation), etc.
·
Female patients
must cleanse the urethral/genital area to avoid contamination with squamous
cells.
·
Obtain a midstream
clean catch voided specimen.
·
Collect in a clean
container labeled with the patient’s full name. Immediately add an equal volume
of CytoLyt Solution. Submit to the
laboratory with the completed requisition form.
·
Collect in a clean
container labeled with the patient’s full name. Add an equal volume of CytoLyt Solution, or make sure the
specimen is refrigerated. Submit to the
laboratory with the completed requisition form.
Nipple Discharge
·
Direct Smears:
Express nipple discharge fluid onto a slide labeled in pencil with the patient's full name. Immediately fix with an alcohol base spray fixative. Submit to the laboratory with the completed
requisition form. Do not massage or
squeeze the breast; too vigorous manipulation may dislodge and spread malignant
cells. Do not use CytoLyt Solution.
Breast Aspiration (Cyst fluid, not Fine Needle Aspiration)
·
Collect aspirate in
a clean container labeled with the patient’s full name. Add an equal volume of CytoLyt
Solution. Submit to the laboratory with
the completed requisition form.
Gastrointestinal Specimen
The adequacy of the gastrointestinal specimen is determined by the
presence of well-preserved epithelial cells indicative of the type present at
the site sampled. All GI specimens will
deteriorate rapidly due to enzymatic activity.
In addition, these specimens are easily contaminated by epithelium from
sites proximal to that being sampled.
·
If requesting
evaluation for microorganisms prepare direct smears: Brush or roll specimen
directly onto a clean slide labeled in pencil
with the patient's full name. Do not
fix. Allow to air-dry. Deposit brush directly into container of
CytoLyt Solution labeled with the patient’s full name and submit to the
laboratory.
·
GI fluid: Collect
in a clean container labeled with the patient’s full name. Immediately add an equal volume of CytoLyt
Solution. Submit to the laboratory with
the completed requisition form.
CSF
·
Collect a minimum
of one mL of CSF, preferably two-three mLs, into a clean container labeled with
the patient’s full name. Immediately
add an equal volume of CytoLyt Solution.
Submit to the laboratory.
Fine Needle Aspiration
·
Direct Smears:
Dispense 1 or 2 drops of aspirate from the needle tip directly onto a clean
slide labeled in pencil with the
patient's full name. Prepare “squash”
prep by placing a second clean labeled slide on top of the slide with the
aspirate and gently pull the slides apart.
One slide is fixed immediately with an alcohol base spray, and the
second slide is allowed to air-dry. The
preferred number of passes is a maximum of 4 passes. Alternate method of slide fixative preparations for each
pass. Please indicate on the
requisition form and on the slides if the direct smears are "fixed"
or "non fixed".
·
Drop the remaining
cellular material in the same prefilled container of CytoLyt Solution, ensuring
that the collection is made from the same body site. The container is labeled with the patient’s full name. Submit to the laboratory with the completed
requisition form.
ThinPrep vials, Gyn collection devices, frosted end slides, slide holders
and mailers, CytoLyt Solution, and alcohol base spray fixative are provided at
no charge.
NOTE: Please
package slides for GYN cytology (Pap smears) and slides for Non-GYN cytology
separately from any specimens in formalin.
Do not pack them in the same box.
Fumes from the formalin cause significant artifact, precluding accurate
interpretation of the cytology specimen.
Click on the link below to view and/or print the Non-Gyn Cytology Request Form.
** Adobe Acrobat Reader must be installed on the computer. **