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HelpTest Code BFBL Bilirubin, Body Fluid
Reporting Name
Bilirubin, BFUseful For
Evaluating peritoneal fluid or abdominal drain fluid as a screening test for bile leakage
May aid in the distinction between a transudative and an exudative pleural effusion
Method Name
Photometric, Diazonium Salt
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
Body FluidOrdering Guidance
For bilirubin testing on urine specimens, order BILUR / Bilirubin, Random, Urine. Testing will be changed to BILUR if this test is ordered on urine specimens.
Shipping Instructions
Ship specimen in amber vial to protect from light.
Necessary Information
1. Date and time of collection are required.
2. Specimen source is required.
Specimen Required
Supplies: Amber Frosted Tube, 5 mL (T915)
Preferred Source:
-Peritoneal fluid (peritoneal, abdominal, ascites, paracentesis)
-Pleural fluid (pleural, chest, thoracentesis)
-Drain fluid (drainage, Jackson Pratt [JP] drain)
-Pericardial fluid
Acceptable Source: Other body fluid, write in source name with source location (if appropriate)
Collection Container/Tube: Sterile container
Submission Container/Tube: Opaque, amber vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Centrifuge to remove any cellular material and transfer into an amber vial to protect from light.
2. Indicate the specimen source and source location on label.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body Fluid | Frozen (preferred) | 70 days | LIGHT PROTECTED |
| Refrigerated | 14 days | LIGHT PROTECTED |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
| Gross icterus | OK |
| Anticoagulant or additive Amniotic fluid Breast milk Saliva Sputum Cerebrospinal fluid Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) Bronchial washings Colostomy Ostomy Gastric secretions Nasal secretions Urine Feces Vitreous fluid Synovial fluid |
Reject |
Reference Values
An interpretive report will be provided.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
CPT Code Information
82247
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| BFBL | Bilirubin, BF | 1974-5 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| BRNBF | Bilirubin (BF) | 1974-5 |
| FLD14 | Fluid Type: | 14725-6 |
Clinical Information
Peritoneal fluid:
Bilirubin is typically measured in peritoneal fluid of patients with suspected bile duct leak or gallbladder perforation as a screening test prior to imaging or cholescintigraphy. If the value is higher than that of serum and is greater than 6 mg/dL, and the ascitic fluid amylase is not elevated (indicating upper intestinal perforation), it can be assumed that the gallbladder has perforated into the peritoneum (choleperitoneum) or either bowel or biliary perforation has occurred.(1) Furthermore, biliary leakage after laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the most common post-operative complication.(2) While endoscopy is a beneficial first-line treatment for the management of bile leaks there often are logistical issues which hinder the procedure from being performed rapidly. Post-cholecystectomy patients generally have a drain in place (particularly a Jackson Pratt [JP] drain) and may undergo bilirubin testing on the drain fluid as an objective assessment of a bile leak. A body fluid/serum bilirubin ratio of greater than 5 in a JP drain fluid is highly sensitive and specific for bile leak.(3)
Pleural fluid:
Measurement of bilirubin in pleural fluid has been investigated to aid in the differentiation of transudative and exudative effusions in pursuit of more specific biomarkers than traditional light criteria measuring total protein and lactate dehydrogenase. Bilirubin values tend to be higher in exudates than in transudates, although there is some overlap between groups which limits the usefulness of its measure.(4)
Other fluids:
Determination of body fluid bilirubin concentration can aid in the distinction between a transudative and an exudative fluid or identify the presence of bile in other fluid compartments.
Interpretation
Bilirubin may be measured in other fluids although the decision limits are not well defined in fluids other than pleural fluid. Fluid to serum bilirubin ratios are expected to be less than or equal to 1.0 and should be interpreted in conjunction with other clinical findings.
Cautions
Bilirubin is photosensitive. Failure to protect from light may cause decreased results.
In very rare cases, gammopathy, in particular type IgM (Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia), may cause unreliable results.
Cyanokit (Hydroxocobalamin) may cause false low results.
Method Description
Total bilirubin, in the presence of a suitable solubilizing agent, is coupled with 3,5-dichlorophenyl diazonium in a strongly acidic medium to produce azobilirubin. The intensity of the color of the azobilirubin produced is proportional to the total bilirubin concentration and is measured at 546/600 nm.(Package insert: Bilirubin Total Gen. 3. Roche Diagnostics; V9.0. 01/2020)