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Test Code LAB212 Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Routine Analysis, Cell Count

Reporting Title

Cell Count w/Diff  CSF

Methodology

Cell Count and Differential

Useful for examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for detection of any indicators of a pathological condition such as hemorrhage, infection, or other central nervous system disease.

Performing Laboratory

OhioHealth Laboratory Services-RMH, GMC, DH, DMH, MGH, GMH, HMH, WECC, PMC, MH, SH, GCMH, BH and OMH Core Laboratories.

Specimen Requirements

Collect 1 mL of spinal fluid in 4 sterile tubes, and send spinal fluid from vial #3 in a screw-capped, sterile, plastic vial. Do not centrifuge. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only. Do not refrigerate.

Note:  Label specimen with patient’s name (first and last), room number (if appropriate), date and actual time of collection, and number of sequence specimen was collected.

Specimen Transport Temperature

Ambient/Refrigerate NO/Frozen NO

Reference Values

COLOR

Colorless

APPEARANCE

Clear

XANTHROCHROMIA

Absent

CELL COUNT

Red blood cell:  0/mcL

*WBC/Nucleated (Nuc) Cells

<1 year:  0-30 mononuclear WBC/Nuc Cells/mcL

1-4 years:  0-20 mononuclear WBC/Nuc Cells/mcL

5-12 years:  0-10 mononuclear WBC/Nuc Cells/mcL

>12 years:  0-5 mononuclear WBC/Nuc Cells/mcL

Critical value >10 mononuclear WBC/Nuc Cells/mcL

Alerting category: Always called within 1 hour

*WBC/Nuc Cell count includes mesothelial and other non-WBC/Nuc cells as reflected in the differential

 

Note:  Cell count may be affected if the specimen contains clots and/or clumps of cells.

DIFFERENTIAL COUNT (based on presence of WBC/Nucleated Cells)

Cell Type Neonates Adults
Lymphocytes 20% ± 15 60% ± 20
Monocytes 70% ± 20 30% ± 15
Neutrophils 4% ± 4 2% ± 4

Note:  In high-risk neonates without meningitis, the CSF may have ± 60% neutrophils.

 

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday; Continuously

Test Classification and CPT Coding

89051