Fine Needle Aspiration
Use of Test
Evaluation of sample for premalignant, malignant, inflammatory or infectious changes. Includes needle aspiration specimens of any mass or neoplasm, not limited to: bone, breast, kidney, liver, lung, lymph node, pancreas, prostate, thyroid, synovium
Patient Preparation
As per clinician
Collection
- Label slides with patient’s full legal name
- Label all containers with patient’s full legal name, DOB and DOS
- Place one drop of material onto slide and smear material with another slide
- Immediately fix one slide in 95% ethanol, or use spray fixative
- If using 95% ethanol, fix slides for at least 15 minutes
- Allow the other slide to air dry
- Write “A.D.” on the slide allowed to air dry
- Needles should be rinsed in a balanced salt solution container or directly into NGYN ThinPrep® vial
WSLH cytology requisition form #141 must include:
- Patient’s full legal names
- Clinic medical record number, if available
- Date of birth
- Date of collection
- Specimen source
- Clinic, clinician name and phone number
- Pertinent clinical history
- Payment information
Diagnostic Range
- Negative for malignant cells
- Atypical cells
- Suspicious for malignancy
- Positive for malignancy
- May include inflammatory, bacterial and viral findings
Limitations
- Abnormal findings must be correlated with history and other test results.
- The technique of aspiration and slide preparation requires some training.
- Poorly fixed or air-dried samples impair evaluation.
- The cytology laboratory can provide educational materials and demonstrations for interested clinicians.
- Test has both a false negative and false positive rate.
Availability
Monday-Friday
Turnaround Time
24 hours
PLEASE NOTE: Results may be delayed or the sample rejected if pertinent and/or required information needs clarification or is missing.
Test Codes
92701 FNA
Specimen Submission Requirements
FNA Kit and Mailers – Instructions For Submitting Specimens For Fine Needle Aspiration Evaluations. This kit is intended for collection and shipment of fine needle aspiration specimens for analysis of premalignant or malignant disease.
Contents:
- Frosted-end glass slides
- Plastic slide holder
- ThinPrep® vial
- Absorbent paper
- Styrofoam mailers
- Mailing labels
- Biohazard sticker
Mandatory Requirements
- Write patient’s full legal name on slide
- Write patient’s name on ThinPrep® vial
- Complete WSLH requisition form #141
- Collect specimen and transfer to glass slide
- Rinse the needle in the ThinPrep® solution
Specific Packing and Mailing Instructions
- Insert glass slide in plastic slide holder
- Wrap ThinPrep® vial with absorbent paper and put in a biohazard bag
- Put the biohazard bag and plastic slide holder into the styrofoam mailer
- Label the styrofoam mailer with the following:
- Your laboratory/clinic’s address
- WSLH Cytology Department address
- Diagnostic specimen label
- Biohazard sticker
- Place completed requisition form in the styrofoam mailer
PLEASE NOTE: The specimen does not need to be refrigerated or packed with ice. The styrofoam mailer does not need to be placed in a biohazard bag.