Specimen Requirements

1. Using a lead pencil, label frosted end of glass slide with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, and source prior to obtaining smear. If more than 1 FNA of same body site is performed, each slide should be labeled accordingly.

2. Puncture site should be prepped with alcohol or Betadine®. Anesthetic for superficial lesions is typically not needed. An aspiration pistol is recommended for use. The majority of aspirates can be adequately obtained using a 22-gauge needle, although 25-gauge needles are recommended for thyroid aspirate because of blood dilution.

3. After prepped skin is dry, needle is inserted into mass lesion; negative pressure is applied, as needle is “fanned” in several directions. Negative pressure is then released before withdrawal of needle.

4. Express specimen onto glass slides using positive pressure. Only 1 or 2 drops per slide is optimal.

5. After drop is placed on slide, another slide is placed above drop to spread material. When material has spread, slides are pulled apart gently without compressing material on slides.

6. One slide should be immediately placed in a container of 95% ethyl alcohol. (Alternately, spray fixative can be used.) The other slide is allowed to air dry and then placed in a plastic slide holder.

7. Alternately, specimen may be submitted in syringe. If transporting in a syringe, needle must be removed prior to transport. Specimen must arrive immediately after collection.

8. Label holder/container with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, and type of specimen.

9. Send alcohol container and slide holder refrigerated. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1. Aspiration from separate body sites require separate requisitions.

2. Occasionally, concentration techniques and adjunctive studies are performed from aspirate specimens. These are prepared after aspiration needle is rinsed in an appropriate medium, such as Hank’s solution. This can be obtained from the Cytopathology Laboratory by request. This medium should be transported immediately to the laboratory.

3. For suspected lymphoproliferative disorders, flow cytometry analysis is available by request.

4. The following specimens will be returned to the submitting physician:

A. No requisition form

B. Name on requisition does not match name on specimen

C. Unlabeled specimen

D. No doctor’s name given

E. Broken slide that cannot be reconstructed

F. Fixation in formalin

G. Air-drying artifact

H. Slide adhered to holder

5. Please complete a request form and include the following:

A. Patient’s name (first and last)

B. Date of birth

C. Date of collection

D. Source of material

E. Physician’s name

F. Pertinent clinical information

6. Place specimen in a plastic specimen bag with request form inserted into pocket separate from specimen.