Body Fluid ( General, including Bile Duct Aspirate) Cytology

Testing Laboratory

Department

Cytology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

NGYN

Test Code (Numeric Code)

9032

Laboratory Handling

Transport

Send specimens to the laboratory immediately after collection. If it is not possible to send the fluid immediately, it should be stored in a refrigerator at 4°C.

Sample Stability

Refrigeration of fresh specimens temporarily preserves cells by slowing their metabolic processes. At room temperature (22–25°C), specimen integrity is maintained for approximately 6 hours before significant deterioration occurs

Synonyms

Cytology, Ascites, Peritoneal fluid and washings, Peritoneal fluid, Pericardial fluid, Pleural fluid

Turnaround Time

5 days

80% reported within 5 working days, we follow the RCPA guidelines.

Specimen Type

• Aspirate
• Fluid Other
• Pleural Fluid

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Specimen Container

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

75

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Specimen Container

Pre-testing Requirements

No specific patient preparation is typically required: Adequate volume collection

Additional Specimen Information

Anticoagulant-free container; a minimum of 75mL volume .
Ovarian cyst cytology testing is not performed when there is an accompanying surgical specimen for histology.

Test Method

Direct smear and Cytospin preparations with Papanicolaou and Diff-Quik staining and cell block preparation.

Limitations / Interference

Insufficient specimen volume may limit specimen adequacy and diagnostic interpretation.

Uncertainty of Measurement

Uncertainty of measurement is not applicable to body fluid cytology, as the test provides a qualitative result based on cytomorphological interpretation rather than quantitative measurement.

Contact Information