The University of Iowa (UIHC)
Department of Pathology
LABORATORY SERVICES HANDBOOK


Chromosomal Analysis

Order Form: C-12 Cytogenetics Request
  Cytogenetics Laboratory (Dept. of Pediatrics)
W-101 GH
356-3877 (Laboratory)
Specimen:
Skin or Internal Tissue or Blood from Autopsy
Minimum:
Specimen obtained aseptically according to your protocol.  DO NOT PUT 
SPECIMEN IN ALCOHOL OR FORMALIN OR FREEZE.  Label tube with patient 
name and medical record number.
Delivery Instructions:
Submit specimen to laboratory as soon as possible after collection.
Specimen
Instructions:
If a specimen is collected over the weekend, please page the 
technologist on call by dialing 1-888-533-0186.  When it stops ringing, 
enter your phone number, the '#' sign, and hang up. When it stops 
ringing,
enter your phone number, the # sign, and hang up.
Testing Schedule:
Specimens accepted in the lab Monday-Friday, 0800-1700.  After hours 
specimens should be taken to specimen control and a message left on the 
lab voice mail.  In the case of an emergency, follow the instructions 
on the lab voice mail.
Analytic Time:
Allow 2-3 weeks for blood specimens, and 3-6 weeks for tissue 
specimens, to obtain final results.
Reference Range:
Male: 46,XY     Female: 46,XX
Comments:
Specimen should be collected as soon as possible. In the case of a 
recently deceased infant (< 24 hours) a blood specimen from a cardiac 
puncture usually gives a good result. Skin and other tissues obtained 
more than 48 hours post-mortem have a markedly decreased success rate 
of cell growth for cytogenetic analysis.

 I. Peripheral blood:
    -Collect 5-10 cc adult, 2 cc infants of blood in a green-top
     vacutainer with sodium heparin. Invert tube to mix well.  DO NOT
     FREEZE OR CENTRIFUGE.
    -Deliver specimen to the Cytogenetics Lab (W-101, GH) as soon as
     possible during work hours (Monday through Friday, 0800-1700).

II. Skin, fetal tissue, diaphragm tissue, tumor tissue, other tissue:
    -Call the Cytogenetics lab for specimen transport tubes with
     media.  If special transport media is not available, sterile
     Ringers lactate solution can be used.
    -Specimen should be obtained aseptically. Do not put specimen in
     alcohol or formalin. Do not freeze or flame or refrigerate.
    -In cases of abortion, don't send intact fetus.  Send only tissue
     specimen to the lab (skin, diaphragm, lung, etc).
-Label the tube(s) with patient name and medical record number (there
 should be two identifications).
-Specimens should be sent at room temperature.

Also call the lab at 319-356-3877 with any questions.


Cytogenetics Laboratory Web Site
CPT Code:
88233, 88262; 88230, 88262
 
See Additional Information:
Cytogenetics Testing

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Updated: 02/28/2008

Note: The information contained in this handbook is for use by personnel of University of Iowa Health Care. No other use is implied or intended.