Important Note

Specimen must be received in lab within one hour of collection.

Do not send specimen through pneumatic tube system.

Xanthochromia is assessed by visual inspection. If the appropriate history and symptoms are present, CSF xanthochromia is suggestive of subarachnoid blood, either as part of an inflammatory reaction such as meningitis, or after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Xanthochromia must be viewed within the appropriate clinical context.

Spectrum Health Kelsey Laboratory does not perform this test.  If testing is urgently required by the ED, ensure that a stat courier is on sight prior to collection to ensure transportation is available for this time sensitive testing.

CSF Priorities on QNS Specimens:

When a Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimen arrives into the laboratory and is deemed Quantity Not Sufficient (QNS) for ordered testing, the ordering provider is contacted to identify testing priorities. Occasionally, the laboratory is unable to secure these priorities.

If the lab is unable to secure priorities from the ordering provider within an hour of collection, the following will occur:

1. We will move forward with the Cell count with differential, Culture, and Protein/Glucose

2. The rest of the ordered testing will hold until we can clarify the priorities