We use amber vials, which help to light protect the samples. We also insist that they are sent in a black specimen bag to offer further protection.

We supply a specimen bottle kit (complete with instructions), which goes out with all “lumbar puncture kits” supplied by our Hospital Sterile Stores Department.

We very rarely get incorrect or badly preserved CSF samples since the introduction of the kit.

 

 

What specimen tubes do labs use for CSF xanthochromia samples?  We currently use a 20 mL universal container, but are hoping to switch to a smaller tube (e.g. 2 mL Eppendorf type) in order to make the sample volume easier to determine at collection, and also avoid the possibility of pre-analytical haemolysis of erythrocytes causing falsely elevated oxyhaemoglobin (see ‘Unrecognized Preanalytical Problem with the Spectrophotometric Analysis of Cerebrospinal Fluid for Xanthochromia’, Clinical Chemistry 54:11 (2008) 1924-5).  The main concern is that the use of small necked tubes may make it more difficult to ‘catch’ the drops of CSF at sample collection.

 

Thanks,

 

Sarah