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Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)-Cell Count - Pasqua/RGH-Saskatoon

Discipline

Hematology

Overview

Description

Ordering requirements

Pasqua/RGH
Saskatoon

Alias

  • CSF Cell Count
  • CSF Hematology (Saskatoon only)

Specimen Information

Specimen types accepted

  • Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Specimen collection container

  • Preferred collection container: Sterile screw capped tubes without additive or anticoagulant provided in the standard pre-packaged lumbar puncture kits.

Collection procedure

  • Lumbar puncture (LP), Ventricular cannulas (shunts/reservoirs), percutaneous ventricular puncture (neonate and pediatric), cisternal puncture, or lateral cervical (neck) puncture

  • Lumbar puncture (LP) is the most commonly performed method for collection of CSF

  • Collect appropriate volumes of CSF in sequential order into four sterile, screw capped tubes consecutively numbered 1 to 4. Three tubes are sufficient for pediatric testing.
  • If numbered tubes are not available, number each tube as per collection order (1, 2, 3 or 4)

Required volume

  • Optimal volume: 1.0 mL for Adults/Children
  • Minimum volume: 0.5 mL

Transport and stability

  • Testing should be performed immediately upon arrival in the lab If a delay is anticipated ,specimen should be refrigerated and done within 1 hour of collection
  • Deliver CSF specimen to laboratory within 1 hour of collection
  • Do NOT send CSF via pneumatic tube system

Rejection criteria

Performance

Methodology

  • Extremely cloudy or bloody specimens should be counted on the automated analyzer
  • Manual cell count using hemocytometer (may be confirmed with automation)

Days/times performed

Pasqua/RGH
  • 24 hours per day ,7 days per week
Saskatoon
  • STAT ordering available: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at RUH, SPH and SCH
    • SCH couriers CSF specimens STAT to SPH for testing

Maximum laboratory time

  • Turnaround time: 1 hour from time of receipt at testing site
  • Differential- 2hrs from receipt in the laboratory
  • Critical WBC of greater than 10X10e6/L will be phoned to hospital ward or most responsible physician (Regina)
  • Critical WBC count of greater than 5x10e6/L will be phoned to hospital ward or most responsible physician (Saskatoon)

Specimen retention time

  • Minimum 7 days at 2 - 8°C

Other information

Reflex Testing
Pasqua/RGH
  • WBC greater than 10X10e6/L – differential performed
  • Oncology patients including pediatrics from cancer clinic will have a cytospin made and a differential performed regardless of the WBC count
Saskatoon
  • WBC greater than 5x10e6/L- Differential performed

Last Updated: April 23, 2025