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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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PLEURAL FLUID

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB4098    Geisinger Epic ID:  17605

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Pleural fluid


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
Non-sterile specimen container
Specimen required: 

Target volume >75mL. If possible, >500 mL or entire volume collected should be submitted.


Special notes: 

Note: The sensitivity of this examination for detecting malignant cells decreases significantly with low-volume specimens.


Patient preparation: 

Sterilize skin at puncture site for percutaneous access.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Obtain pleural fluid (minimum 75 mL) in specimen container.


Transport temperature: 

Refrigerate or keep on wet ice until transported to the laboratory.


Rejection criteria: 

Inadequate patient identifiers on specimen, unlabeled specimen, discrepancy between patient specimen and requisition information, improper collection.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 

Not applicable.


CPT code(s):  88108, 88305
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

Microscopic evaluation and cell block preparation for immunophenotyping.


Synonyms: 

Thoracentesis, effusion, Body cavity fluid, Cytology unspecified procedure


Clinical significance: 

Detection of malignant cells in body cavity fluids.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Sara Monaco MD
Review Date:  10/21/2024

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