Sinus Culture
Test Code
CXSIN
Description
Sinus culture is used to determine the possible bacterial causes of rhinosinusitis.
This test includes a Gram stain and culture.
Anaerobic testing is included if the specimen is sent under anaerobic conditions. Anaerobic condititions include a syringe with the air expelled or anaerobic transport media.
Collect
|
Specimen |
Collection |
|
Rigid endoscopy |
Patient will take intranasal decongestant and a topical anesthetic. Aspirate from the middle meatus adjacent to the maxillary sinus ostium ipsilateral. An aspiration of the drainage is preferred, but drainage can be submitted on a swab. |
|
Maxillary aspiration |
Clean anterior nares with antiseptic solution, then apply topical anesthetic. Puncture the maxillary antrum and aspirate secretions with needle and syringe. If no material was aspirated, irrigate with 2ml of nonbacteriostatic saline. |
|
Nasal Wash |
Nasal washes are not a preferred specimen type. Nasal washes and nasal aspirates lack specificity to diagnose sinusitis or lower respiratory disease. These will be accepted but minimal pathogens will be identified. |
All specimen sources need to be collected in a sterile container or a syringe. Remove the needle and cap syringe before sending to laboratory.
Aspirates are preferred over swabs.
Minimum volume: 1ml
Unacceptable Conditions
- Anaerobic portion of testing will not be performed if the samples was not submitted under anaerobic conditions
- Frozen specimens
- Specimens not stored at proper transport conditions
- Quantity of specimen insufficient; <1ml of liquid specimen
- Sources other than those mentioned in the collection section
- Mislabeled or unlabeled specimen
- Excessively leaking specimen
Storage Transport Temp
Transport to the laboratory as soon as possible.
2 hours at room temperature (20-25°C) or 24 hours refrigerated (2-8°C).
Performed
7 days a week from 8am to 6pm.
Methodology
Aerobic bacterial culture.
Anaerobic bacterial culture is performed if the sample is sent under anaerobic conditions.
Department
Microbiology LabReference Interval
Semi-quantification of normal sinus flora
Interpretation
Pathogens in any quantity include:
- Streptococcus pnemoniae
- Streptococcus pyogenes
- Haemophlius influenzae
- Moraxella catharralhis
- Mold
- Anaerboes (< 3 morphologies)
Quantify dependent pathogens:
- Enterbacterales
- Pseudomonas aeriginosa
- Viridans group streptococcus
- Staphylococcus aureus
NOTE: only pure pathogens will be reported for nasal washes and nasal aspirates.