Skip to main content

Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

  or
  or
  or

BRONCHIAL BRUSHING

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB4098    Geisinger Epic ID:  17605

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Bronchial brushing


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
Glass Slides
Specimen required: 

Bronchial brushing submitted in RPMI, preferred collection.  Fixed glass slides acceptable, but not preferred.


Special notes: 

Submit brush tip in RPMI.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Transport temperature: 

RPMI with brush tip: Refrigerated.  Glass slides: Room temperature.


Rejection criteria: 

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



TEST DETAILS
CPT code(s):  88112, 88305 (88161 if only glass slides received)
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: 

Cytologic examination of liquid based cytology or smears.


Methodology: 
Microscopic Examination
Synonyms: 

Bronch brush, bronchoscopic brushing, Cytology, Respiratory


Clinical significance: 

Adequate bronchial brushings should contain large numbers of well-preserved bronchial lining cells with as little contaminating oral and upper airway material as possible. For the detection and characterization of bronchoscopically visible premalignant/malignant pulmonary lesions; for the identification of some microbiologic pathogens (primarily viral and fungal).


Doctoral Director(s): 
Sara Monaco MD
Review Date:  11/14/2024

Performing Locations