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Test Code CRSBF Crystal Identification, Body Fluid


Specimen Required


Specimen Required

Specimen Type: Synovial Fluid, Prosthetic Joint Fluid

Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)

Acceptable: Green top (heparin)

Specimen Volume: 2 mL

 

Specimen Type: Bile Fluid

Container/Tube: Red top

Specimen Volume: 2 mL

 

Specimen Type: Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)

Container/Tube: Body fluid container

Specimen Volume: 2 mL

 

Specimen Type: Pleural Fluid, Peritoneal Fluid, Pericardial fluid

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Body fluid container

Acceptable: Lavender top (EDTA) or Green top (heparin)

Specimen Volume: 2 mL


Useful For

Identifying the presence and type of crystals in body fluid

Method Name

Compensated Polarized Light Microscopy

Reporting Name

Crystal ID, BF

Specimen Type

Body Fluid

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Body Fluid Refrigerated (preferred)
  Ambient  24 hours
  Frozen 

Reject Due To

  All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.

Clinical Information

Birefringent crystals are found in the synovial fluid of more than 90% of patients with acutely inflamed joints.

Monosodium urate crystals are seen in gouty fluids and calcium pyrophosphate crystals are seen in chondrocalcinosis. The urates are usually needle-shaped, and the calcium crystals are often rhomboidal. Cholesterol crystals may also be observed.

Reference Values

None seen

 

If present, crystals are identified.

Interpretation

Positive identification of crystals provides a definitive diagnosis for joint disease.

Cautions

Powdered anticoagulants such as oxalate are themselves crystalline or may cause crystals to form; their use may cause false-positive results or mask the presence of synovial fluid crystals definitive for the disease.

Method Description

The specimen is examined with a polarizing microscope with and without a first-order red compensator. Cholesterol crystals appear as bright, square or rectangular plates. Pyrophosphate crystals, rhomboidal, are weakly birefringent. Urate crystals are mainly needle-shaped and strongly doubly refractile; they may be found within leukocytes.(Hussong JW, Sorensen E, Perkins SL, et al: Laboratory methods. In: Hussong JW, Kjeldsberg CR, eds. Kjeldsberg's Body Fluid Analysis. ASCP; 2015:chap 2)

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Report Available

1 day

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

89060

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
CRSBF Crystal ID, BF 6825-4

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
CRYFT Fluid Type 14725-6
CRYID Crystal ID 6825-4
CRYCM Comment 77202-0