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HelpTest Code CTFNA Cytology Fine-Needle Aspiration, Varies
Ordering Guidance
If a consultation is desired, order PATHC / Pathology Consultation.
Necessary Information
1. An acceptable cytology request form must accompany specimen containers and include the following: Patient's name, medical record number, date of birth, sex, source (exact location and procedure used), date specimen was taken, name of ordering physician and pager number.
2. Submit any pertinent history or clinical information.
Specimen Required
Specimen Type: Slide
Container/Tube: Plastic slide container
Specimen Volume: Smear
Collection Instructions:
1. Smears should be immediately fixed in 95% ethanol or sprayed with commercially available fixative. Smears that have been air-dried or Diff-Quik stained may also be accepted.
2. Label containers with a minimum of 2 unique identifiers (eg, patient name and medical record number or date of birth), specimen source, and date of collection. Label each glass slide in pencil with a minimum of 2 unique identifiers. If multiple slides are submitted, each slide must have proper identification.
Specimen Type: Fluid
Container/Tube: 60-mL (2 oz) jar with screw cap, 50-mL disposable centrifuge tube with screw cap, or 15-mL test tube with screw cap
Specimen Volume: Any amount
Collection Instructions:
1. Preferred method is no fixative added to fluid prior to processing and the specimen must be received and processed by the Cytology Laboratory within 1 hour of collection.
2. If not possible to submit within 1 hour, specimen should be refrigerated no longer than 62 hours. Additional acceptable fixatives are specimens with equal volume of 50%, 70%, 80%, or 95% ethanol, PreservCyt solution, CytoRich Red, or CytoLyt.
3. Label containers with a minimum of 2 unique identifiers (eg, patient name and medical record number or date of birth), specimen source, and date of collection.
Specimen Type: Tissue
Container/Tube: 50-mL disposable centrifuge tube with screw cap or 60-mL (2 oz) jar with screw cap containing 10% neutral-buffered formalin
Specimen Volume: Any amount
Collection Instructions:
1. Tissue fragments must be submitted in 10% neutral-buffered formalin.
2. Label containers with a minimum of 2 unique identifiers (eg, patient name and medical record number or date of birth), specimen source, and date of collection.
Secondary ID
70334Useful For
Detection of malignancy
Detection of certain inflammatory conditions
Testing Algorithm
If an additional specimen is submitted along with the slides, then a cell block will be made at an additional charge.
Includes testing from virtually any body site that can be aspirated with a fine-needle (22-gauge or smaller).
Method Name
Light Microscopy
Reporting Name
Cytology Fine Needle AspirationSpecimen Type
VariesSpecimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varies | Ambient (preferred) | ||
| Refrigerated | |||
Reject Due To
No specimen should be rejected.Clinical Information
Aspiration cytology from a variety of organ sites is useful in the determination of pathologic states, particularly neoplasms. Commonly examined sites include lung, liver, lymph nodes, pancreas, kidney, thyroid, retroperitoneum, breast, salivary glands, and soft tissue. In many cases, an open biopsy is no longer required to make a diagnosis.
Reference Values
Negative for malignant cells
Interpretation
Aspiration therapy is highly specific with rare false-positives. A positive diagnosis should be definitive for malignancy.
Precise cell typing is variably possible depending on circumstances.
Cautions
Nondiagnostic results are issued when material is inadequate for a diagnostic impression.
A negative result must not be taken as definitive in the face of strong clinical suspicion. If the diagnosis is less than definitive (ie, suspicious), a follow-up biopsy may be recommended.
This test is not useful for most inflammatory conditions such as hepatitis, glomerulonephritis, etc. However, it may be helpful in obtaining material for culture and in identifying positive organisms in infectious diseases.
Slides must be fixed promptly after smearing to ensure adequate evaluation.
Clinical Reference
Mody DR, Thrall MJ, Krishnamurthy S, eds. Diagnostic Pathology: Cytopathology, 2nd ed. Elsevier, 2019
Method Description
Slides are stained by a modified Papanicolaou method and examined microscopically. DiffQuik stains may be used on air-dried specimens. On rare occasions, immunostains may be used secondarily as appropriate.(Unpublished Mayo method)
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
2 to 5 daysSpecimen Retention Time
IndefinitePerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
88173
88305-CBKPC (if appropriate)
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| CTFNA | Cytology Fine Needle Aspiration | 33718-8 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 71690 | Interpretation | 59465-5 |
| 71691 | Participated in the Interpretation | No LOINC Needed |
| 71689 | Report electronically signed by | 19139-5 |
| 71274 | Addendum | 35265-8 |
| 71275 | Gross Description | 22634-0 |
| 71644 | Adequacy Evaluation | 11552-7 |
| CY067 | Collection Procedure | 33724-6 |
| CY054 | Source | 22633-2 |
| CY055 | Clinical History | 22636-5 |
| CY056 | Fixative | 8100-0 |
| 71566 | Disclaimer | 62364-5 |
| 71812 | Case Number | 80398-1 |