Search our extensive Laboratory Test Directory to find test codes, ordering recommendations, specimen stability information, Test Fact Sheets, and more.
Recommendations when to order or not order the test. May include related or preferred tests.
Establish diagnosis for mass lesions accessible by fine needle aspiration.
New York DOH Approval Status
Indicates test has been approved by the New York State Department of Health.
This test is not New York state approved. ARUP cannot facilitate testing for New York state clients. Please work directly with a New York state-approved laboratory.
Specimen Required
Patient PreparationInstructions patient must follow before/during specimen collection.
CollectSpecimen type to collect. May include collection media, tubes, kits, etc.
Fine Needle Aspirate. For specific instructions refer to Cytopathology Specimen Collection & Handling.
Specimen PreparationInstructions for specimen prep before/after collection and prior to transport.
Fluid: Transport all available specimen to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube in equal parts cytology fixative. Also acceptable: Unfixed fluid if submitted refrigerated within 24 hours. Slides: Transport specimen on fixed or unfixed slides.
Storage/Transport TemperaturePreferred temperatures for storage prior to and during shipping to ARUP. See Stability for additional info.
Fresh UnfixedFluid: Refrigerated. Fixed Fluid: Ambient or Refrigerated. Fixed orUnfixed Slides: Ambient or Refrigerated.
Unacceptable ConditionsCommon conditions under which a specimen will be rejected.
Frozen specimen vials or slides, Samples submitted in expired collection containers.
RemarksAdditional specimen collection, transport, or test submission information.
Submit source information with the specimen.
StabilityAcceptable times/temperatures for specimens. Times include storage and transport time to ARUP.
Expected turnaround time for a result, beginning when ARUP has received the specimen.
1-5 days
Reference Interval
Normal range/expected value(s) for a specific disease state. May also include abnormal ranges.
Interpretive Data
May include disease information, patient result explanation, recommendations, or details of testing.
Compliance Category
Varies by Report
Note
Additional information related to the test.
Hotline History
N/A
CPT Codes
The American Medical Association Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes published in ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory are provided for informational purposes only. The codes reflect our interpretation of CPT coding requirements based upon AMA guidelines published annually. CPT codes are provided only as guidance to assist clients with billing. ARUP strongly recommends that clients confirm CPT codes with their Medicare administrative contractor, as requirements may differ. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. ARUP Laboratories assumes no responsibility for billing errors due to reliance on the CPT codes published.
88173. This CPT code may also be reported in conjunction with aspiration of the specimen and/or evaluation of fine needle aspirate, immediate cytohistologic study to determine adequacy for diagnosis (88172, 88177). Additional CPT codes may be reported depending on the preparation methods, including 88305 or 88342.
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.
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