Specimen Requirements

1. Prefixation with alcohol is not recommended for spinal fluid, because alcohol may precipitate protein present in the fluid specimen.
2. Submit 5 mL of fresh spinal fluid in a screw-capped, sterile container.
3. If specimen cannot be sent to laboratory immediately, submit 5 mL of fresh spinal fluid in a screw-capped, sterile container to which equal amounts of 50% ethanol alcohol has been added.
4. If spinal fluid is not fixed with preservative, immediately deliver to Cytology Laboratory.
5. Label container with patient’s first and last name and second identifier, date of collection, physician’s name, and hospital identification number (if applicable)
6. Please complete a Cytology Request Form including patient’s name, date of birth, date of collection, physician’s name, address, specimen source, and pertinent clinical history; and forward it with the specimen.
7. Note on Cytology Request Form whether tumor cells or leukemia cells are being ordered. Specimen cannot be processed unless this is known.
8. Place specimen in a plastic specimen bag with Cytology Request Form inserted into pocket separate from specimen; and, if possible, deliver specimen to Cytology Laboratory.