Department:
Cytology
Laboratory:
Cytology
Pseudonyms:
Bronchial brushings, Oesophageal brushings, Bile duct brushings
Test Code:
Cyto
Availability:
Weekdays
Collection Requirements:
Please see notes
Requires own tube?:
No
Internal Spec Code:
Fee:
Medicare rebatable
Reference Range:
Notes:
Specimen Requirments: When the brushing is completed, smear the brush onto a labelled glass slide and fixed immediately in 95% alcohol. Label frosted end on the glass slides in lead pencil with the patients name, UR No. and specimen type. Fix the slides immediately in 95% alcohol DO NOT ALLOW THE SMEAR TO DRY.
Plastic coplin jars containing 95% alcohol are available from the Cytology laboratory Ext 9342 7853. Immediate fixation is a pre-requisite for all brushing sites - oesaphageal, gastric and bronchial. Air drying artefact caused by a delay in transferring the materal from the brush to the glass slide and subsequently into the fixative makes microscopic diagnostic interpretation difficult. Thus a delay in fixation will yield unsatisfactory or inconclusive results. A post-bronchoscopy sputum should routinely be sent for cytology.