Non-gynaecological Cytology Request Form
Please fill in all sections, use addressograph labels if possible. Please record all relevant clinical information, especially for Fine Needle Aspirates.
Sputum Cytology
Early morning specimens on three consecutive days are required. These should be obtained before eating and oral hygiene have commenced. The specimen should be a deep cough specimen and should be sent fresh to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection.
Pleural and Ascitic Fluid Cytology
A fresh representative specimen (as much as possible up to 50 mls but not more than this) should be sent to the laboratory, preferably in a sterile "universal" container, as soon as possible after collection.
Urine Cytology
Specimen collection 'kits' consisting of three jars containing fixative in a plastic bag, with patient instructions, are available from the Histology Department
A fresh sample of urine (not the first early morning specimen) is required on three consecutive days. As the jars contain fixative to preserve the cells, there is no need to transport the specimens to the laboratory immediately. The patient is able to collect all three at home before bringing them in.
Cervical Cytology
Cervical smears must be fixed immediately after collection (air drying is deleterious). Collection packs are supplied by the Cytology Department at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, which reports all cervical cytology specimens.
Fine Needle Aspirate Cytology
The cell sample obtained should be smeared onto a slide and placed in the fixative which may be obtained from the laboratory. Any residue in the needle or syringe should be washed into "MEM" fluid (available from the Cytology department). We use the material in the MEM fluid to make tissue blocks, which may allow immunohistochemistry.
In the case of thyroid aspirates, please Quikfix some of the slides and air dry some (marking which are which). The latter will be stained with Giemsa and are invaluable for the identification of colloid. For other non-gynaecological cytology e.g. fluid specimens, telephone the laboratory for advice if required. Useful link: Guidelines for the management of thyroid cancer with the diagnostic categories for fine-needle aspiration cytology.
Bronchoalveolar Lavage
Once the lavage fluid has been collected, it should be dispatched to the laboratory on ice. Notify the laboratory that you are sending the specimen.
The cytology department can examine for Pneumocystis carinii on bronchoalveolar lavage specimens and this can be done urgently by arrangement out of hours. The preferred method, however, is for Microbiology to examine for Pneumocystis by PCR. This is available during office hours: this technique can also be applied to mouth washing, induced sputa and blood.
95% of cytology specimens (excluding andrology) are reported within 9 working days
Semen Analysis for Subfertility Investigations
Samples should be collected by masturbation into a 60ml sterile specimen container and delivered as soon as possible to the laboratory specimen reception. Preferably within one to two hours. Both time of production and period of abstinence should be recorded on the specimen request card. An instruction sheet is available from the Pathology Secretaries if required.
Post Vasectomy Semen Analysis
Samples should be collected by masturbation into a 60ml sterile specimen container and delivered as soon as possible to the laboratory specimen reception. The request card should clearly state "Post Vasectomy" semen sample. The British Andrology Society recommends that patients should be instructed to ensure that they have had at least 24 ejaculations and preferably wait at least 16 weeks before submitting a first sample for examination. An instruction sheet is available from the Pathology Secretaries if required.
95% of semen specimens are reported within three weeks and all within four weeks.