Cerebrospinal fluid – Cytology (CSF)

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Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Haematology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

CYTO

Test Code (Numeric Code)

1900

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Collect into sterile screw top tubes. Usually collected in three tubes labelled 1,2 and 3 and should be labelled in the order of the collection. Please write the time and date of collection on the request form.

Transport

Transport at ambient temperature (8-24°C). Specimens must be delivered immediately to the lab.

Registration

Registered as cyto

Laboratory

LabPlus Special Haematology

Sample Stability

These specimens must be received within 30 minutes of collection. If the CSF specimen is greater than 4 hours old, cell morphology may be compromised.

Associated Tests

Synonyms

Cytology - CSF

Turnaround Time

2 hours

  • CSF cell counts available within 2 hours of receipt of specimen; differential within 24 hours.
  • If an urgent differential is required out of hours or at weekends, please contact the haematology laboratory on ext 7570.

    • Specimen Type

    • CSF

    Specimen Requirements

    Tube/Container Type:

    Preferred
    • CSF sterile tubes (Routine Analysis)
    • Please refer to Additional Information below
    Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

    4

    Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

    4

    No of Samples Required

    3

    Paediatric Specimen Requirements

    Tube/Container Type:

    Preferred
    • Please refer to Additional Information below

    Additional Specimen Information

  • 3 tubes with a minimum of 4 mL in tube 3.
  • Label tubes in order of collection.
  • Please write the time and date of collection on the request form

    • Last updated: 26/08/2026