Home
HelpTest Code PTHFN Parathyroid Hormone, Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB)-Needle Wash
Reporting Name
PTH, FNAB, Needle WashUseful For
Discriminating thyroid tissue from enlarged parathyroid glands
Facilitating parathyroid localization prior to surgery
An adjunct to cytology examination of fine-needle aspiration specimens to confirm or exclude presence of parathyroid tissue in the biopsied area.
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
Fine Needle WashSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Needle Wash | Frozen (preferred) | 30 days | |
| Refrigerated | 4 hours |
Reference Values
An interpretive report will be provided.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
Test Classification
This test has been modified from the manufacturer's instructions. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
83970
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| PTHFN | PTH, FNAB, Needle Wash | 88106-0 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| PTHF | PTH, FNAB, Needle Wash | 88106-0 |
| SITEA | Site | 39111-0 |
Report Available
1 to 3 daysShipping Instructions
Send specimen frozen.
Necessary Information
The biopsied site of each specimen must be clearly identified in the Laboratory Information System and/or batch sheet.
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation: For 12 hours before specimen collection do not take multivitamins or dietary supplements containing biotin (vitamin B7), which is commonly found in hair, skin, and nail supplements and multivitamins.
Collection Container/Tube: Plain, plastic, screw-top tube
Specimen Volume: 1 to 1.5 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Needle wash specimens for analysis should be collected in conjunction with cytology specimens.
2. Have saline available prior to start of procedure. Saline is the only acceptable solution for needle washings.
3. After each fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) has been collected and the material in the needle has been expelled onto a slide for cytologic analysis, attach the used FNAB needle to an empty syringe.
4. Draw between 0.10 mL and 0.25 mL of saline up through the needle until the saline starts to fill the hub of the needle or end of the syringe.
5. Expel this fluid back through the needle into a separate plastic aliquot tube. This is the needle washing used for analysis.
6. Repeat steps 2 through 4 for each needle pass of the same biopsied site and empty into the same tube, accumulating a total of 0.5 mL to 1.5 mL of fluid to send to the laboratory. (If more than 1 site is biopsied, see Additional Information)
7. Inspect specimen for visible blood or tissue contamination:
 a. If bloody, centrifuge specimen and transfer supernatant to a new plastic aliquot tube (5-mL standard tube) to send to laboratory. The supernatant, not the cellular material, is used for analysis.
 b. If specimen is clear, centrifugation is not necessary.
8. Freeze within 2 to 4 hours of collection.
Additional Information:
1. If more than 1 site is biopsied, each washing material should be submitted on a separate tube and under a different order number.
2. A minimum of 0.5 mL is required for testing; however, the total collection volume should not exceed 1.5 mL. Sample volumes outside these parameters may be rejected.
3. Do not send saline control. This test has been validated to rule-out saline matrix effect.
Method Name
Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay