CSF, Cell Count and Diff




Test Mnemonic

CCCSF

CPT Codes

  • 89051 - QTY (1)

Includes

  • Color
  • Clarity
  • RBC
  • Diff
  • Total Nucleated Cells, CSF

Performing Laboratory

Cleveland Clinic Laboratories


Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
2 mLCerebrospinal fluid (CSF)Sterile container RefrigeratedSamples must be refrigerated within 6 hours of collection to maintain specimen integrity.

Minimum Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
1 mL     

Stability

Environmental Condition Description
Ambient6 Hours
Refrigerated24 Hours
FrozenUnacceptable

Days Performed

Sun - Sat

Turnaround Time

1 day

Methodology

Name Description
Manual Cell Count 
Microscopy 

Reference Range

Lymphocytes
Sex Age From Age To Type Range Range Unit
       Normal50-90%
Monocytes/Macrophages
Sex Age From Age To Type Range Range Unit
       Normal10-50%
Neutrophils
Sex Age From Age To Type Range Range Unit
       Normal<3%
Supernatant Clarity, CSF
Sex Age From Age To Type Range Range Unit
~      Clear 
Supernatant Color, CSF
Sex Age From Age To Type Range Range Unit
~      Colorless 

Special Info

In rare circumstances, flow cytometry may be added on to evaluate substantial malignant cell populations. 

Clinical Info

Cerebrospinal fluid evaluation for various disease states including infection, malignancy, multiple sclerosis.