CPT Code(s):
88160
Specimen Requirements:
A direct smear of material collected from the conjunctival surface is required. You will need two clean glass slides (single-end frosted), fixative (95% ethanol) and a request form. Collect 1 – 2 drops of fluid or scrapings only on the center on one of the labeled slides. Place the other labeled slide face down on the other and let the specimen slowly spread out between the two slides. Working quickly, separate the two slides like opening a book, resulting in a mirrored-image specimen. Do not press the two slides together. Fix the slides immediately in 95% ETOH.
If only one air-dried slide is received, it will be stained with GMS for fungi and acanthamoeba.
Fluid samples from the eye should be transported immediately to UF PathLabs for processing or, if delayed, refrigerated and, if shipped long distance, should be placed in ThinPrep® or SurePath® preservative, similar to fine-needle aspirations.
Storage/Transport Temperature: Submit specimens according to Biological Substance, Category B, shipping guidelines.
- Frozen: Unacceptable
- Fixed Slides: Indefinitely
- Ambient: 2 hours
- ThinPrep®: 3 weeks
- SurePath®: 4 weeks
- Refrigerated: Sterile container (24 hours)
Use:
This test is used to detect, identify, and diagnose any infections of the conjunctiva. It can also be used to identify inflammatory concerns.
Methodology:
Cytopathology
Reported:
1 – 3 days