Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Requisition

CLS Non-Gynecological Cytopathology Requisition (CLS Form# REQ9041CY-NON)

* Indicate on the requisition if the CSF was collected via lumbar puncture or shunt.
* Indicate on the requisition if the patient has received intrathecal chemotherapy from the collection site.

Specimen Handling and Transport

Minimum volume requirements for each tube:

Adults/children: 2 mL
Neonates: 1 mL

Collect the specimen and label the tube according to the CSF Collection Guidelines.
Use sterile screw capped tubes.
Securely tighten the lid to avoid any leakage.
Transport the fresh specimen to the laboratory immediately. If a delay of more than 8 hours is anticipated, the specimen must be refrigerated and/or have CytoLyt® Solution added for the Cytopathology test.

* Leukemia/Lymphoma - If leukemia or lymphoma is suspected, a separate CSF specimen is required for Flow Cytometry. DO NOT refrigerate or add CytoLyt® Solution to this specimen.

* Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (CJD) - If the patient has known or suspected CJD, a Cytopathology test CANNOT be processed and the specimen will be rejected.