Category
Hematology
Sub Category
Fluid Analysis
Synonyms/Aliases
Cell Counts, CSF; Spinal Fluid Cell Counts.
Abbreviations
N/A
Type
Profile/ Panel (Bundled Tests).
3 Hrs
Results ready in 3 Hours
Method
Microscopic Examination.
Temp
2-8ºC
Setup
Daily
Components Parameters
RBC cell count, WBC cell count (total & differentials); reporting of any foreign cells.
Pre-analytic Considerations
N/A
Test Ordering Instructions
Fill out test request form fully & legibly.
Patient preparation
N/A
Sample type
Cerebrospinal Fluid.
Container/ preservative
EDTA (purple top) Vacutainer or plain sterile leak proof container.
Sample volume
At least 0.5-1ml of CSF in sterile leak proof container. If multiple tests are required, minimum is 5ML divided between 3-4 sequentially labelled tubes.
Rejection criteria
Labeling issue (unlabeled/ mislabeled); missing request form; mismatch between request form & sample details; missing age/ gender; wrong sample type; clotted sample; insufficient sample; sample >24hours old.
Other Instructions
CSF should ideally be collected in multiple tubes labeled in accordance with the collection sequence. when this is done, the last tube drawn (tube 3/ 4) is used for cell counts.
Reference intervals
Age & gender appropriate values are provided on the report.
Clinical Utility
Evaluation of Suspected CNS Pathology I.e. Infections (E.g. Meningitis), Malignancy (E.g. Leukemia), Demyelinating disease Etc.
Test Limitations/ Confounders
Cell Lysis & distortion begins at 1 hour test should be handled as a stat (urgent) test; for meaningful results, prompt delivery should be done.