Sign in →

Test Code BALCT Cell Count, Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) LAB2011

Test Method

Wright Stained, Cytospin smear

Performance

Testing is performed Monday through Sunday.

BAL specimens are processed as soon as they arrive at the
testing site.

Specimen Requirement

0.5 mL Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid is required.

Useful For

Cytologic enumeration of cell types in BAL fluids can be a
useful adjunct in the correlation of lung biopsy findings with
clinical and imaging studies for the evaluation of certain lung
pathologies, especially with regard to interstitial lung disease.
While cell counts may be somewhat helpful, the differential count
of inflammatory cells is of more importance.

Reference Values

  

 

Smoker Without Chronic Bronchitis

Nonsmoker

Bronchial

Alveolar

Bronchial

Alveolar

Macrophages (%)

52-60

87-97

60-66

76-82

Neutrophils (%)

18-24

5-7

9-11

2-4

Eosinophils (%)

<1

<1

<1

<1

Lymphocytes (%)

<1

1-3

2-4

11-15

Epithelial Cells (%)

19-25

1-3

21-27

3-5

 

CPT Code Information

89051 Other Pathology Services: Cell Count, miscellaneous
body fluids, except blood; with differential count

LOINC Code Information

57845-0 Leukocytes [#/Volume] In Body Fluid By Automated
Count

Additional Specimen Collection Information

BAL fluid specimens are analyzed immediately upon
receipt in the laboratory

  • Transport the specimen in a sterile polypropylene or other
    plastic container designed for suspension tissue culture.
  • Transport the specimen to the laboratory within 1 hour of
    collection