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22543 Cytology, Fine Needle Aspiration

Cytology, Fine Needle Aspiration
Test Code: Pathology Fine Needle Aspiration
Synonyms/Keywords
​.​​​​​​​​​FNA, Fine Needle Aspirate​
Useful For
Cellular material is obtained from space occupying lesions for diagnosis. Fine needle aspirations may be performed on palpable lesions or lesions detected  by imaging techniques. Rapid on-site assessment of specimen adequacy is performed on fine needle aspiration samples collected during bronchoscopy and gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​FNA ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Collection Processing Instructions
PREFERRED:  Prepare 2-6 smears as follows: Label each of the one-end frosted slides with patient last name and medical record number. If multiple sites are sampled, indicate site on frosted end of slide and requisition form or electronic order (i.e. Specimen 1, 2 or A, B, etc.). Place a small amount of specimen on the clear portion of one of the slides. Place another slide (clear portion) on top of the specimen. Gently pull the two slides apart. Fix both slides IMMEDIATELY in 95% ethyl alcohol (spray fixative is an alternative but suboptimal fixative). Wash needle in Hanks Balanced Salt Solution and send needle rinse along with a properly completed Cytology test requisition or electronic order.
 
ALTERNATE: There are two means of submitting a fluid specimen: a) place fluid in sage container with 30 mL of Cytolyt and sent with slides or b) in a capped syringe and sent immediately to the lab. (DO NOT send with needle). ​  Lab personnel must fix specimen within 2 hrs. of collection by adding 30 mL of Cytolyt.
 
PATHOLOGIST ON-SITE IMMEDIATE ASSESSMENT:  For each pass, the assessing pathologist should record the following on the assessment sheet: pass number, adequacy statement and any comments along with the pathologist signature and assessment date. Each specimen/site assessment should be recorded on a separate assessment sheet.​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature
​FNA ​Room Temperature
Interference
Consult Cytopathology with questions (800-222-5835, ext. 1-6155).​
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Marshfield Monday-Friday​ 2 day​s
 Light Microscopy​
Test Information
For assistance with slide preparation and/or pathologist immediate assessment information, contact the Cytopathology Lab.
 
Specify specimen source, include pertinent patient history, clinical information and appropriate ICD-10 code on test requisition or electronic order.
 
NOTE:  If air-dried slides for Diff-Quick stain are prepared, label the slides "air" and put in cardboard or plastic slide holders and send along with the fixed slides and needle rinse.
 
NOTE:  If Flow Cytometry is requested or ordered, collect as for Cytology EXCEPT place needle rinse in Hanks Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS).  Do NOT place in fixative.  Keep specimen at room temperature.​

For collection and ordering of Parathyroid Hormone chemistry testing, see  PTH, Intact – Other Fluids

For collection and ordering of Thyroglobulin chemistry testing, see Thyroglobulin – Other Fluids

For collection and ordering of CEA chemistry testing, see CEA, Body Fluid

For collection and ordering of Amylase chemistry testing, see Amylase, Other

NOTE:  Chemistry testing from a fine needle aspiration rinse should be collected in a 15 mL centrifuge tube.  No more than 1 mL of sterile saline may be used to rinse the collected material into the appropriate collection tube.  Chemistry testing samples should be accompanied by the corresponding requisition and/or labeled with electronic order labels.  Specimens should be stored/transported separately from the fine needle aspiration materials, in accordance with the corresponding test stability information.

Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
​Marshfield ​Interpretative Report
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
88173​ ​ ​ Interpretation and Report​ ​
88305​ ​ ​ Cell block​ ​
88172​ ​ ​ First Immediate Assessment ​ Charge as needed​
88177​ ​ ​ Additional Immediate Assessment ​ Charge as needed​
Synonyms/Keywords
​.​​​​​​​​​FNA, Fine Needle Aspirate​
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description

​​Cerner
​Pathology FNA Request
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​FNA ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Collection Processing
PREFERRED:  Prepare 2-6 smears as follows: Label each of the one-end frosted slides with patient last name and medical record number. If multiple sites are sampled, indicate site on frosted end of slide and requisition form or electronic order (i.e. Specimen 1, 2 or A, B, etc.). Place a small amount of specimen on the clear portion of one of the slides. Place another slide (clear portion) on top of the specimen. Gently pull the two slides apart. Fix both slides IMMEDIATELY in 95% ethyl alcohol (spray fixative is an alternative but suboptimal fixative). Wash needle in Hanks Balanced Salt Solution and send needle rinse along with a properly completed Cytology test requisition or electronic order.
 
ALTERNATE: There are two means of submitting a fluid specimen: a) place fluid in sage container with 30 mL of Cytolyt and sent with slides or b) in a capped syringe and sent immediately to the lab. (DO NOT send with needle). ​  Lab personnel must fix specimen within 2 hrs. of collection by adding 30 mL of Cytolyt.
 
PATHOLOGIST ON-SITE IMMEDIATE ASSESSMENT:  For each pass, the assessing pathologist should record the following on the assessment sheet: pass number, adequacy statement and any comments along with the pathologist signature and assessment date. Each specimen/site assessment should be recorded on a separate assessment sheet.​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature
​FNA ​Room Temperature
Interference
Consult Cytopathology with questions (800-222-5835, ext. 1-6155).​
Useful For
Cellular material is obtained from space occupying lesions for diagnosis. Fine needle aspirations may be performed on palpable lesions or lesions detected  by imaging techniques. Rapid on-site assessment of specimen adequacy is performed on fine needle aspiration samples collected during bronchoscopy and gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures.
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
​Marshfield ​Interpretative Report
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Marshfield Monday-Friday​ 2 day​s
 Light Microscopy​
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
88173​ ​ ​ Interpretation and Report​ ​
88305​ ​ ​ Cell block​ ​
88172​ ​ ​ First Immediate Assessment ​ Charge as needed​
88177​ ​ ​ Additional Immediate Assessment ​ Charge as needed​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.