Results are generally available within 6 business days.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. 

Specimen: Liquid based gynecologic sample. Cytology, ThinPrep Collection Method.

Container: ThinPrep collection vial.

Patient preparation: Patient should avoid vaginal medication, personal lubricants, or douching 48 hours prior to examination. If concurrent biopsy is performed, obtain Pap smear prior to cervical biopsies or polypectomies. Smear obtained midcycle is preferable.

Collection: If lubricant is required, a carbormer-free lubricant must be used, Sample collection for ThinPrep Pap test may be performed with a broom-like collection device OR a spatula/brush combo.  To collect the sample, begin by visualizing the uterine cervix.

For broom-like collection devices: Insert the central bristles of the broom into the endocervical canal deep enough to allow the shorter bristles to fully contact the ectocervix. Push gently and rotate the broom in a clockwise direction for five complete, 360 degree turns. Rinse the broom as quickly as possible into the ThinPrep collection vial by pushing the broom into the bottom of the vial 10 times, forcing the bristles apart, Swirl the broom vigorously to further release material. Remove and discard the collection device from the vial. NO collection devices should be left in the vial.

For endocervical brush/spatula collection devices: Obtain a sample from the ectocervix using the plastic spatula. Select the contoured end of the plastic spatula and rotate it 360 degrees around the entire ectocervix, while maintaining tight contact with the ectocervical surface. Rinse the spatula as quickly as possible into the ThinPrep vial by swirling the spatula vigorously in the vial 10 times. Remove and discard the collection device from the vial. Obtain an adequate sampling from the endocervix using an endocervical brush device. Insert the brush into the cervix until only the bottom-most fibers are exposed. Slowly rotate 1/4 or 1/2 turn in one direction. DO NOT OVER-ROTATE THE BRUSH. Rinse the brush as soon as possible in the ThinPrep vial by rotating the device in the solution 10 times while pushing it against the PreservCyt® vial wall. Swirl the brush vigorously to further release material. NO collection devices should be left in the vial.

Handling Instructions: Samples collected into ThinPrep vials may be stored for up to 6 weeks unrefrigerated.

Special Instructions: Include pertinent clinical history (i.e. age, LMP, PMP, surgery, exogenous hormones, history of carcinoma, radiation, chemotherapy, abnormal vaginal bleeding and previous abnormal pap smears). Must include age, LMP, and date of sample collection with the test order request. Distinguish diagnostic from screening pap and include ICD-9 coding.

Request Form: Gynecologic Cytology Requisition. (Opens in a new window)

Cervical Cytology
Cervical/Vaginal Smear
Liquid Based Gyn Cytology
Pap Smear
ThinPrep Gyn Cytology

Results are generally available within 2 business days.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

Specimen: Washings obtained by physician through endoscopy or other means.

Container: clean, sterile, leakproof specimen container.

Collection: Label with patients name, medical record, number, and date. Send to the Cytology laboratory as soon as possible.

Handling Instructions: Refrigerate specimen if unable to deliver to the laboratory immediately.

Special Instructions: Specify site washed. Include pertinent clinical data with test request: admitting diagnosis, age, radiographic findings, bronchoscopic/endoscopic findings, and history of radiation or chemotherapy.

Request Form: Non-Gynecologic Cytology Requisition. (Opens in a new window)

BAL, Cytology, Bronchoalveolar Lavage, Cytology, Washings, Bronchial Washing, Cytology, Pelvic Washing, Cytology, Peritoneal Washing, Cytology

Results are generally available within 2 business days.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

Specimen: Voided or catheterized urine, intraoperative washings of urinary bladder, urethra, ureters, or renal pelvis.

Container: clean, sterile, leakproof specimen container.

Special Instructions: Specify site washed. Include pertinent clinical data with request: admitting diagnosis, age, radiographic findings, endoscopic findings, and history of radiation or chemotherapy. For voided urine - hydration of the patient's collection of the second voided urine in the morning, add equal amounts of 50% ethanol.

Request Form: Non-Gynecologic Cytology Requisition. (Opens in a new window)

Voided Urine, Cytology, Urine, Cytology, Bladder Washing, Cytology, Catheterized Urine, Cytology, Renal Pelvis Washing, Cytology, Ureteral Washing, Cytology, Urethral Washing, Cytology

Results are generally available within 2 business days.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

Bronchoalevolar Lavage (BAL) is a more reliable test for pulmonary cytology. See Cytology, Washings (Opens in a new window).

Collection: Upon arising, patient should rinse mouth with water and expectorate a deep cough specimen into a sterile specimen container. Seal container tightly. Label with patients name and medical record number. Send each specimen to the Cytology Laboratory as soon as possible. The patient is instructed to deposit, in the container, only those secretions coughed up from the bronchial tree in contrast to saliva, which accumulates in the mouth or postnasal accumulation in the pharynx. The best time for collecting sputum is early in the morning just after awakening. Forceful vigorous coughing at this time is often very productive. It is important that the patient rid the mouth of saliva and other material by rinsing the mouth with water before attempting to bring up sputum. For patients with scanty sputum, it may take 15 to 30 minutes of intermittent coughing before an adequate sample can be obtained. For those who experience difficulty, sputum coughed up at any time of the day may be used, or the patient can be scheduled to have Respiratory Therapy collect an induced sputum specimen from them. The specimen is then delivered with the requisition to the Cytology Department.

Handling Instructions: Refrigerate specimen (do not freeze) if unable to be delivered during laboratory hours. Transport specimen as soon as possible the next workday.

Special Instructions: Include admitting diagnosis and pertinent clinical history (I.e., age, clinical diagnosis, and exposure to carcinogen) with test request. Be sure to label post-bronchoscopy sputum as such where applicable.

Request Form: Non-Gynecologic Cytology Requisition. (Opens in a new window)

Cytology, Induced Sputum Cytology, Sputum, Sputum, Unfixed

Results are generally available within 2 business days.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5pm. 

Collection: Soak nipple with warm saline in cotton or gauze for 10-15 minutes, then gently stroke subareolar area and nipple with thumb and forefinger. When liquid appears, allow drop to accumulate on apex of the nipple. Place drop on slide. With separate slide make unilayer smear. Place immediately in 95% ethyl alcohol (cytology fixative). Make four to six smears as the amount of specimen allows. Leave one slide out of fixative to air dry. If smears are prepared from both breasts, label each slide as left or right. Label all slides with patients name and medical record number.

Patient Preparation: Nipple should be cleaned vigorously to remove loose skin cells.

Additional Information: For patients with a palpable mass, needle aspiration is a more productive procedure. Mammography should also be performed.

Special Instructions: Information regarding the sample site and pertinent clinical data (I.e., unilateral or bilateral discharge, one duct or multiple involved, cyclic or noncyclic discharge, admitting diagnosis, age radiographic findings, and history of radiation or chemotherapy) is essential to interpretation and should be received with the specimen.

Request Form: Non-Gynecologic Cytology Requisition. (Opens in a new window)

Breast Discharge Cytology

Results are generally available within 2 business days.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. 

Call the Cytology Lab (503 494-8278) to request Pathology assistance.

Request Form: Non-Gynecologic Cytology Requisition. (Opens in a new window)

Needle Aspiration With Radiologic Guidance, Fine Needle Aspirate with Radiologic Guidance, FNA with Radiologic Guidance

Results are generally available within 2 business days.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5pm. 

Call the Cytology Lab (503 494-8278) to request Pathology assistance or to schedule a needle aspiration to be performed by the pathologist.

Special Instructions: Specify body site. Include pertinent clinical data (i.e., age, location of mass, and history of carcinoma or infection). 

Request Form: Non-Gynecologic Cytology Requisition. (Opens in a new window)

Fine Needle Aspirate, FNA, Cytology, FNAB, Cytology, Needle Aspiration, Cytology, Cytology of Palpable Mass

Results are generally available within 2 business days.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. 

Specimen: 1-2mL minimum fresh fluid; additional volume preferred.

Container: Use sterile tube from lumbar puncture tray or sterile disposable container.

Collection: Label with patient's name, medical record number, and collection date. Send to Cytology Laboratory IMMEDIATELY.

Handling Instructions: Cells in cerebrospinal fluid are fragile and deteriorate rapidly. Refrigerate specimen if unable to deliver to the laboratory immediately.

Special Instructions: Specify specimen origin. Include pertinent clinical data (i.e., admitting, diagnosis, age, and history.)

Request Form: Non-Gynecologic Cytology Requisition. (Opens in a new window)

CSF, Cytology, Spinal Fluid, Cytology

Results are generally available within 2 business days following receipt of the specimen.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

Container: 95% ethyl alcohol or spray fixative and sterile leakproof specimen container with saline for transporting of disposable brush.

Collection: Label frosted end of slide with patients name, medical record number, and site brushed. Roll brush gently over glass slide to cover the area of a dime and fix immediately in 95% ethyl alcohol. Label containers with exact body site, patients name and medical record number. Clip off disposable brush and put in saline or Cytorich Red Solution available from the Cytology Department to submit to the laboratory.

Handling Instructions: Refrigerate specimen if it cannot be sent to Cytology immediately.

Special Instructions: Specify the site brushed. Include pertinent clinical data on requisition (i.e., admitting diagnosis, age, radiographic findings, bronchoscopic/endoscopic findings, and history of radiation or chemotherapy).

Request Form: Non-Gynecologic Cytology Requisition. (Opens in a new window)

Bile Duct Brushing, Cytology, Bronchial Brushing, Cytology, Colonic Brushing, Cytology, Esophageal Brushing, Cytology, Gastric Brushing, Cytology, Oropharyngeal Brushing, Cytology, Small Bowel Brushing, Cytology, Tracheal Brushing, Cytology, Ureteral Brushing, Cytology, Urethral Brushing, Cytology

Results are generally available 2 business days following receipt of the specimen.

Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

Specimen: 10 mL or more; 1mL minimum. Fluids include: ascitic, paracentesis, pericardial, peritoneal, pleural, synovial, or culdocentesis.

Container: clean, sterile, leakproof specimen container.

Handling Instructions: Submit fluids fresh and un-fixed. Refrigerate specimens if they cannot be sent or processed by Cytopathology immediately. Exfoliated cells deteriorate rapidly in the effusion, both in vivo and in vitro.

Request Form: Non-Gynecologic Cytology Requisition. (Opens in a new window)

1 mL

Body Fluids, Cytology, Effusions, Cytology, Fluids, Cytology