CRYSTALS IN BODY FLUID

Mnemonic

BFCRY

Synonym

Gout - Joint Fluid Crystals - Uric Acid Crystals - BF Crystals - Body Fluid Crystals

Specimen Collection Requirements

Collect

Synovial or body fluid in lavender (EDTA) top tube or container with no anticoagulant. Small volumes (<0.5 mL) should be kept unanticoagulated.

Handling

If submitted in EDTA, mix tube gently, end over end, 8-10 times immediately after collection.

Preferred Volume

1.00 mL

Minimum Volume

0.25 mL

Transport

Refrigerated

Rejection Criteria

Frozen specimen, specimen collected with oxalate preservative

Stability

Refrigerated: 2 days

Testing Information

Note

Specimens submitted on slides or swabs are acceptable, but discouraged if not necessary. Serum in red top tubes is discouraged. Red top tubes contain a clot activator that may interfere with crystal evaluation.

Performed

7 days/week

Method

Polarized microscopy

Referral Lab

Samaritan Health Services

Reference Values

Reference Values

Negative

CPT Codes

89060

Last Updated: Thursday, January 5, 2017 03:42:08 AM