CYTOLOGY FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION (WITH OR WITHOUT RADIOLOGICAL GUIDANCE)
General Information
HLAB/HOL Code: FNA
UPHSM LIS Test #: 4590
Schedule: Monday-Friday
Testing Time: 1 day
Testing Lab: UP Health System-Marquette
UPHSM LIS Test #: 4590
Schedule: Monday-Friday
Testing Time: 1 day
Testing Lab: UP Health System-Marquette
Specimen Info
Only 1 specimen type required, unless otherwise specified
Volume:
Temperature:
Tube Type: Fine needle aspiration
Collection Info:
1. Locate the mass and disinfect the area.
2. Apply local anesthesia on/in the area to be needled.
3. Introduce needle into mass. Create and maintain negative pressure.
4. Sample specimen area vigorously on several planes, maintaining the negative pressure.
NOTE:
Specimen may be only in the barrel of the needle and not in the syringe. Just because there is not any specimen visible in the
syringe, does not mean that an adequate specimen has not been obtained.
5. Release the plunger of the syringe to equalize the pressure.
6. Withdraw the needle from the mass.
7. Immediately rise the barrel of the needle in 30ml CytoLyt Solution by aspirating approximately 2ml of the preservative into the syringe and
expressing the material back into the container with the remaining CytoLyt Solution.
8. Label the container with the patient's name, hospital number and the date of collection.
9. Deliver the specimen to the MGH Cytology Department as soon as possible. CytoLyt Solution is a methanol based transport media that
will preserve cells for eight days at room temperature.
10. Marquette General Hospital inpatient specimens without preservative should be delivered immediately to the Cytology Department.
NOTE:
Pertinent clinical information regarding previous malignancy, drugs, radiation therapy, or history of alcohol abuse or smoking is required for processing.
**For alternative collection methods or preservatives, please contact the MGH Cytology Department.
Temperature:
Tube Type: Fine needle aspiration
Collection Info:
1. Locate the mass and disinfect the area.
2. Apply local anesthesia on/in the area to be needled.
3. Introduce needle into mass. Create and maintain negative pressure.
4. Sample specimen area vigorously on several planes, maintaining the negative pressure.
NOTE:
Specimen may be only in the barrel of the needle and not in the syringe. Just because there is not any specimen visible in the
syringe, does not mean that an adequate specimen has not been obtained.
5. Release the plunger of the syringe to equalize the pressure.
6. Withdraw the needle from the mass.
7. Immediately rise the barrel of the needle in 30ml CytoLyt Solution by aspirating approximately 2ml of the preservative into the syringe and
expressing the material back into the container with the remaining CytoLyt Solution.
8. Label the container with the patient's name, hospital number and the date of collection.
9. Deliver the specimen to the MGH Cytology Department as soon as possible. CytoLyt Solution is a methanol based transport media that
will preserve cells for eight days at room temperature.
10. Marquette General Hospital inpatient specimens without preservative should be delivered immediately to the Cytology Department.
NOTE:
Pertinent clinical information regarding previous malignancy, drugs, radiation therapy, or history of alcohol abuse or smoking is required for processing.
**For alternative collection methods or preservatives, please contact the MGH Cytology Department.
Methods
Automated-Thin Prep Processor
CPT Codes
88173
* The CPT codes provided are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding
is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payer being billed.
Reference Range
An interpretive report will be sent.
