Testing Laboratory
Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland HospitalDepartment
Cytology
Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)
NGYN
Test Code (Numeric Code)
9032
Laboratory Handling
Transport
Transport CSF specimens to the laboratory immediately after collection. If the specimen is for paediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumour staging, a yellow sticker labelled "CSF for staging: for cytology only" must be affixed to the request form, and the specimen must be transported immediately on ice.
Sample Stability
The cytological evaluation is recommended within 2 to 4 hours of CSF sampling, preferably within 30 minutes.
Synonyms
Cytology, CSF
Turnaround Time
5 days
80% within 5 working days
Specimen Type
- CSF
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- CSF sterile tubes (Routine Analysis)
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- CSF sterile tubes (Routine Analysis)
Pre-testing Requirements
Please follow the LabPlus protocol for CSF specimen collection and handling.
Additional Specimen Information
CSF is often shared with Microbiology/Haematology Departments who process the specimen first. They prepare 2 cytospin slides for Cytology.
CSF for Paediatric Haematology /Oncology Cytology testing for staging of Retinoblastoma/Neuroblastoma must be transported in a sterile CSF container on ice (placed in a separate outer bag) and sent to the laboratory immediately for processing. The yellow sticker “ CSF for staging; for cytology only” should be placed on request form.
Last updated: 11/08/2026