Specimen Requirements

1.       Rigid endoscopy

a.       Provide patient with an intranasal decongestant and then a topical anesthetic.

b.      Identify the middle meatus adjacent to the maxillary sinus ostium ipsilateral to the side to be aspirated.

c.       Collect drainage from the middle meatus with a small swab on a wire.

2.       Maxillary sinus puncture and aspiration

a.       Clean the anterior nares with antiseptic solution.

b.      Apply topical anesthetic.

c.       Puncture the maxillary antrum and aspirate secretions with a needle and a syringe.

3.      Submission to the laboratory

a.       Submit swabs in appropriate bacterial transport media.

b.      Aspirates should be transferred to a sterile container for submission to the laboratory.  Syringes with the needle attached should never be sent to the laboratory because of the safety risk to staff.

 c.  Label specimen according to hospital / laboratory policy. 

Note:  1. See “Microbiology” in “Special Instructions.”

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.