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Laboratory:

Clinical Biochemistry

Test Name:

PANCREATIC FLUID (Biochemistry Specimen ID: PA) - PA

Test Code: See Reference Values section below

Clinical Information:

Alternate Name(s): Pancreatic fluid collection (PFC)

Pancreatic juice

Description: Pancreatic cyst neoplasms are rare and represent 10 – 15% of primary cystic masses of the pancreas. Many pancreatic masses are discovered incidentally during the work-up for abdominal pain, diarrhea and other non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms.

In general, classification of pancreatic cystic lesions is based on histological and radiological findings. However, biochemical analysis of cystic fluid aspirate may be of some diagnostic value. The tumor markers CEA and CA19-9 are most often used to differentiate mucinous from serous pancreatic cysts.

Test Approval Requirements: Any test not listed on this page must be requested as a MISCELLANEOUS fluid test and requires approval by a Clinical Biochemist prior to reporting. Ordering providers should contact the Biochemist on duty through HSC paging prior to ordering any miscellaneous tests.

It is strongly recommended to collect a corresponding serum sample to compare to miscellaneous fluid results.

For more information see:

Fluids Interpretive Guide

Collection Devices:

Preferred Device:	1 - Sterile Specimen Container (100 mL) Sterile Specimen Container (100 mL) Manufacturer: Catalogue #:
Alternate Device:	1 - Sterile 15 mL Screw Cap Conical Tube Sterile 15 mL Screw Cap Conical Tube Manufacturer: Becton Dickinson Catalogue #:

Alternate Device: Vacutainer, Plain NO GEL NO Additive (Fluid Collection)

Quantity: 1

Specimen Required:

Pancreatic Fluid: 2.0 mL

Pediatric Pancreatic Fluid: 2.0 mL

Collection Information: Submit to the laboratory in a sterile collection container without anticoagulant.

Referral:

Adult Volume: 2.0 mL

Pediatric Volume: 2.0 mL

Shipping & Storage: Ship refrigerated if testing cannot occur within 2 hours of collection.

Testing Laboratory (MB): Health Sciences Centre, St Boniface Hospital, and Westman lab.

Requisition:

_SH Body Fluid Requisition (R250-10-53)

Reference Values:

Reference Intervals:

Test Name	Test Code	Result	Interpretation
*CEA	CEFL	>192 µg/L	Suggestive of mucinous cyst
		≤ 192 µg/L	Pseudocyst or serous cyst
		<5 µg/L	Very low risk of mucinous cyst.
*CA19-9	C19F	<37 U/mL	Pseudocyst or serous cyst
		≥37 U/mL	Suggestive of mucinous cyst
		>100 U/mL	Suggestive of malignant etiology

*These assays are not Health Canada approved for use in Pancreatic Fluid; method performance characteristics are unknown. Test results must be integrated into the clinical context for interpretation.

Method of Analysis: Roche cobas Pro c503

Availability:

Daily

Daily at Health Sciences Centre, St. Boniface Hospital and Westman Lab. Other locations dependent on lab shipments to reference labs.