Spinal Fluid Cell Count and Differential

Test Includes

Color and Appearance, Red Blood Count, Nucleated Cell Count and Differential

Specimen Tube Type Transport

Sterile Spinal Fluid Container or a sterile container for shunts.

Critical Value

Male/female and all ages the same: >8 WBC/uL

Summary Test Name

Spinal Fluid Cell Count and Differential

Container Microbiology

Surgery Specimens

Specimen Preparation Outreach

Refrigerate until courier pickup

Specimen Stability

2 hours if refrigerated

Minimum Volume

2.0 ml spinal fluid

Specimen Transport

Refrigerate

Specimen Preparation In House

NOTE: Glass red top tubes are being discontinued. Plastic red top tubes with a clot activator ARE NOT acceptable for aliquoting specimen to other testing areas. Use a plastic aliquot tube for sharing specimen with other sections. Refrigerate until analysis

Stat Availability

24 hours a day, seven days a week

Test Turnaround Time Routines And Stats

R 4 hours S 2 hours

Reference Value

See individual tests for normal ranges