Vitreous Humour Chemistry

Testing Laboratory

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

VITF

Test Code (Numeric Code)

1166

Laboratory Handling

Registration

Forward specimen to Automation.
Do not aliquot.
Register sample under the code VITF.
Put in bag and hand to Automation staff.

Sample Stability

-

Synonyms

Vitreous Humour, Post Mortem Vitreous, Vitreous

Turnaround Time

1 day

Specimen Type

• Vitreous Fluid

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Specimen Container

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

2

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Specimen Container

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

2

Additional Specimen Information

Specimen Collection
No preservative or anticoagulants to be used, collect sample in a plain container.
Ideally from both eyes and aspiration must be gentle to avoid contamination with retinal fragments.

Vitreous humour is viscous, hence requires pre-treatment. At LabPLUS, all vitreous humour samples are analysed following heat treatment (100°C for 5 minutes) (1).
Heat treated samples are not suitable for enzyme and protein analysis.

Test Method

Performed in: LabPlus Automation
Analyser: Roche Cobas

1. McNeil AR, Gardner A, Stables S. Simple method for improving the precision of electrolyte measurements in vitreous humor. Clin Chem. 1999;45(1):135-6.
2. Marshall WJ, Lapsley M, Day AP, Ayling RM. Clinical biochemistry : metabolic and clinical aspects. Third edition.. ed: Edinburgh : Churchill Livingstone Elsevier. 2014.; 2014.
3. Saukko P, Knight B. Ch 2 The Pathophysiology of Death. In: Knight's Forensic Pathology 3 rd Ed. Edward Arnold Publishers 2004.
4. Coe JI. Postmortem chemistry update. Emphasis on forensic application. American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology 1993;14(2):91-117.
5.Clinical guidance ranges were derived from local data, literature review and in discussion with local forensic pathologists.

Contact Information