Testing Laboratory
Counties Manukau | Middlemore HospitalDepartment
Histology
Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)
NGCY
Test Code (Numeric Code)
9047
Laboratory Handling
Transport
The specimen must be transported to the laboratory immediately at room temperature. If transport is delayed, it should be refrigerated and delivered within 24 hours.
Sample Stability
Specimens should ideally be processed immediately. If a delay is unavoidable, they may remain stable for up to 48 hours; however, the diagnostic quality of the sample cannot be guaranteed.
Synonyms
cytology, non gynae cytology, bile brushing, bronchial brushing fluid, pleural pericardial, ascitic aspirated lavage
Turnaround Time
5 days
Only performed during normal business hours (Monday to Friday).
Specimen Type
- Aspirate
- Bronchial Brush
- Bronchial Washing
- CSF
- Fluid Other
- Nasal Fluid
- Pleural Fluid
- Sputum
- Urine
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Please refer to Additional Information below
- Specimen Container
- Citrate (Light Blue Cap)
- Citrate (Blue Cap)
- EDTA (Lavender Cap)
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Please refer to Additional Information below
- Specimen Container
- Citrate (Light Blue Cap)
- Citrate (Blue Cap)
- EDTA (Lavender Cap)
Pre-testing Requirements
Specimens may be submitted fresh (without preservative or fluid) or in CytoLyt preservative. Please note that some external tests require fresh specimens.
• When using CytoLyt, ensure a 1:1 ratio of specimen to preservative.
• Do not add acid to the specimen.
Labelling Requirements:
In addition to standard specimen labelling, include the following information:
• Specimen type
• Relevant clinical and operative details
• Legible signature and printed name
• Contact details of the referring Clinician
Important Note: Failure to correctly label a specimen may result in recollection being required and/or delays to result turnaround times.
Additional Specimen Information
SCOPE OF NON-GYNAECOLOGY CYTOLOGY EXAMINATION:
While the primary purpose of the cytology examination of non-gynaecologic specimens is to detect malignancy, the method may also detect inflammatory or infections disorders and other conditions. Reliable cytology diagnosis of non-gynaecology material depends on adequate patient history, ample specimen volume and quality slide preparations.
BRONCHIAL SPECIMENS (Bronchial washings, Brushings and BAL)
Bronchial washings: must be collected into a sterile container and sent to the laboratory immediately for processing.
Bronchial brushings: the brushing implement used to sample the respiratory tract should be inserted and rinsed in Cytolyt solution (provided by the laboratory).
Bronchial Alveolar Lavage (BAL) specimens: must be transported in a sterile container and sent to the laboratory immediately for processing.
If BAL specimens are collected outside of normal working hours, please send to Microbiology (via Central Specimen Reception, Level 1, Harley Grey Building, Middlemore Hospital).
SEROUS FLUIDS (Peritoneal washings, Ascitic fluid, Pleural fluid)
A minimum volume of 75ml is required for reliable cytologic examination; a 300ml sample would be ideal.
The fluid should be collected into a clean, dry container or screw top bottle, and sent to the laboratory as soon as possible.
If it is not possible to send the fluid immediately, it should be stored in a refrigerator at 4C.
Addition of EDTA or citrate may be added but is not required.
URINE SAMPLES
Midstream urine is the preferred sample for Cytology. Early morning urine is NOT satisfactory because of advance cellular degeneration in urine overnight.
If serial urine cytology is required, 3 urine specimens must be collected with an interval of at least 12 hours between collection.
The specimen should be transported to the laboratory on the day of collection. If the specimen is collected after the hours of Cytology operation, please add an equal volume of Cytolyt or a solution of 50% alcohol as preservative to all urine and bladder wash specimens.
CEREBROSPINAL FLUID (CSF)
CSF is usually processed in the first instance by the Microbiology Department, who will prepare 2 cytospin slides and deliver those to the Cytology lab.
Please follow the instructions of Cerebrospinal Fluid collection and transport to Central Specimen Reception at the main laboratory as soon as possible.
BILE DUCT BRUSHINGS
The brushing implement used to sample the bile ducts should be inserted and rinsed in Cytolyt solution (provided by the laboratory).
BILE
Aspirated bile must be placed in a dry, clean container and submitted to the laboratory as soon as possible.
Last updated: 25/05/2026