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Laboratory:

Clinical Biochemistry (AUTOMATED)

Test Name:

PLEURAL FLUID (Biochemistry Specimen ID: PR) - PR

Test Code: See Reference Values section below

Clinical Information:

Alternate Name(s): Pleural effusion

Description: Pleural effusions are excess fluid that accumulates in the pleural cavity, the fluid-filled space that surrounds the lungs. Pleural effusion is usually diagnosed on the basis of medical history & physical exam, and confirmed by chest x-ray.

There are two broad classifications of pleural effusions that may be diagnosed by Light’s Criteria: transudates & exudates. Transudates result from hydrodynamic disturbances causing protein-poor fluid to drain into the pleural cavity. Exudates result from local inflammation causing localized capillary permeability, resulting in the movement of protein-rich fluid into the pleural space.

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 - Urine Collection Container, Random 100 mL Urine Collection Container, Random 100 mL Manufacturer: Starplex Scientific Inc. (Etobicoke, ON) Catalogue #: 3008-1
Alternate Device:	1 - Sterile 15 mL Screw Cap Conical Tube Sterile 15 mL Screw Cap Conical Tube Manufacturer: Becton Dickinson Catalogue #:

Specimen Required:

Pleural Fluid: 2.0 mL

Pleural Fluid

Adult: 2.0 mL

Pediatric: 2.0 mL

Collection Information: Submit to the laboratory in a sterile collection container without anticoagulant. Do not use evacuated blood collection tubes.

Serum specimens should be submitted with pleural fluids for the following tests to ensure proper interpretation:

Test	Serum/Plasma Collection Time
Lactate Dehydrogenase	within 6 hours of fluid collection
Total Protein	within 6 hours of fluid collection

Special Processing: If LD is requested, a sample aliquot must be made and remain at room temperature.

Referral:

Pleural Fluid: 2.0 mL

Pediatric Pleural Fluid: 2.0 mL

Shipping & Storage: Refrigerated, except for aliquots for LD testing which must remain at room temperature.

Testing Laboratory (MB): Health Sciences Centre; St Boniface, Grace, and Seven Oaks hospitals; Westman lab.

Requisition:

_SH Body Fluid Requisition (R250-10-53)

Reference Values:

Method of Analysis: Roche cobas Pro c503

Pleural Fluid Reference Intervals 11-May-26

Availability:

Daily

Daily at Health Sciences Centre, St. Boniface Hospital and Westman Lab. Other locations dependent on lab shipments to reference labs. Send out to reference labs should include plasma or serum samples at the same time where needed for testing.